i5-10600K vs i7-6900K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
+1.3%
Core i5-10600K
2020
6 cores / 12 threads, 125 Watt
8.99

Core i7-6900K outperforms Core i5-10600K by a minimal 1% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking842855
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.0415.86
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency6.156.80
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Comet Lake (2020)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)30 April 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020$262

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-10600K has 1425% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1612
Base clock speed3.2 GHz4.1 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.8 GHz
Bus rateno data8 GT/s
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+-

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection-+
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data41.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 630
Max video memoryno data64 GB
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.2 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160@30Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096 x 2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data4096 x 2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4016

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-6900K 9.11
+1.3%
i5-10600K 8.99

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-6900K 14470
+1.3%
i5-10600K 14285

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-6900K 1285
i5-10600K 1690
+31.5%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-6900K 7196
+4.5%
i5-10600K 6884

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 8.99
Recency 31 May 2016 30 April 2020
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 125 Watt

i7-6900K has a 1.3% higher aggregate performance score, and 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads.

i5-10600K, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 3 years, and 12% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Core i5-10600K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
Intel Core i5-10600K
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Community ratings

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