Intel Core i7-6900K
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Overall score
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Released
Q2/2016
Intel Core i7-6900K

Processor Intel Core i7-6900K, specifications and benchmarks

286 place in the overall ranking CPUs!
The Intel Core i7-6900K processor is installed in LGA 2011-3 socket boards and operates at a frequency of 3.20 GHz. The Intel Core i7-6900K has a total of 8 cores. Release date: Q2/2016. TDP is 140 W. This review will provide all the technical specifications and detailed data about the Intel Core i7-6900K processor. Discover everything to determine whether a game or software will run on Intel Core i7-6900K.

Specifications

Technical data
CPU Family and Group

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the processors generation and family, explaining the specific market segment it is designed for. It covers key details such as the CPUs position within its product lineup, its intended use cases (e.g., consumer, server, or workstation), and how its generation compares to previous models.

CPU Technical Specs

Intel Core i7-6900K. This section highlights key performance parameters of the processor, including the number of cores, threads, and clock speeds (base and boost frequencies). These metrics directly impact multitasking capabilities and overall system performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications.

  • Frequency
    3.20 GHz
  • CPU Cores
    8
  • Turbo (1 Core)
    3.70 GHz
  • CPU Threads
    16
  • Turbo (8 Cores)
    No turbo
  • Hyperthreading
    Yes
  • Overclocking
    Yes
  • Core architecture
    normal
  • A core
    --
  • B core
    --
  • C core
    --
IGPU

This section provides details on the integrated graphics capabilities of the processor. It covers the architecture, performance characteristics, and supported technologies (e.g., DirectX, OpenGL), which are essential for systems without dedicated GPUs or for mobile devices that require energy-efficient graphics processing.

  • GPU name
    no iGPU
  • GPU frequency
  • GPU (Turbo)
    No turbo
  • Execution units
  • Shader
  • Max. GPU Memory
    --
  • Max. displays
  • Generation
  • DirectX Version
  • Technology
  • Release date
Hardware codec support

This section covers the built-in hardware codec support for video and image processing. The processor’s ability to handle codecs like H.264, HEVC, and VP9 directly influences its performance in tasks such as video playback, editing, and streaming. This hardware acceleration ensures smoother media handling with lower CPU utilization.

  • h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
    No
  • h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
    No
  • h264
    No
  • VP9
    No
  • VP8
    No
  • AV1
    No
  • AVC
    No
  • VC-1
    No
  • JPEG
    No
Memory Specs & PCI

This section breaks down the technical characteristics of the memory supported by the processor, including the types (e.g., DDR4, DDR5), number of memory channels, and maximum supported memory speed. It also covers PCI Express support, which determines the bandwidth available for GPUs, SSDs, and other peripherals, critical for high-performance systems.

  • Memory type
    DDR4-2400
  • Max. Memory
  • ECC
    No
  • Memory channels
    4
  • PCIe version
    3.0
  • PCIe lanes
    40
Encryption

This section focuses on the hardware-based security technologies integrated into the processor. These include encryption support features such as AES-NI, Intel SGX, and AMD Secure Memory Encryption, which provide robust protection for sensitive data and help mitigate cybersecurity risks.

  • AES-NI
    Yes
Thermal Management
  • TDP (PL1)
    140 W
  • TDP up
    --
  • TDP (PL2)
    --
  • TDP down
    --
  • Tjunction max.
    --
* see below
Technologies and Extensions

This section explains the underlying technologies that enable the processor to deliver high performance. It includes details about the manufacturing process (e.g., 7nm, 10nm), supported instruction sets (e.g., AVX, SSE), and virtual machine extensions that enhance compatibility and efficiency across various workloads.

  • Instruction set (ISA)
    x86-64 (64 bit)
  • Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
  • ISA extensions
    SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
  • L2-Cache
    --
  • L3-Cache
    20.00 MB
  • Architecture
    Skylake S
  • Technology
    14 nm
  • Socket
    LGA 2011-3
  • Release date
    Q2/2016
  • Part Number
    --
Positions in all rankings

Common positions Intel Core i7-6900K CPU in popular benchmarks, for comparison with other models.

  • Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
    243 place
  • Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
    148 place
  • Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)
    175 place

Benchmarks

Performance tests CPU

Compare the benchmark scores of Intel Core i7-6900K with other processors to gauge its real-world performance across various tasks..

These tests encompass tasks such as mathematical calculations, 3D rendering, cryptocurrency mining, and performance evaluations in both single-core and multi-core modes.

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
Maxon's Cinebench R23 SC is a cross-platform test suite for macOs and Windows uses one CPU core, with no hypetrading
1162
1162
1153
1151
Intel Core i7-6900K
Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
Maxon's Cinebench R23 MC is a cross-platform test suite for macOs and Windows using a multi-core and hyperthreading
12205
12180
11463
11326
Intel Core i7-6900K

Synonyms

Similar processors in terms of performance.

Similar in technical data processors with Intel Core i7-6900K.

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AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7645 View
AMD Epyc 7702P View
Intel Xeon E5-2687W v4 View
AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U View
AMD Ryzen Z1 View
AMD Ryzen 7 4700GE View

*

PL1 - The power limit (in watts) generated by the processor (or GPU) during sustained, standard operation. It represents the typical thermal output during normal workloads.

PL2 - Represents the maximum power limit under heavy load or overclocking conditions. It indicates the thermal output during peak performance.

These values are essential for determining the optimal cooling system and power supply required to maintain stable performance.

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Intel Core i7-6900K

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