i7-4960X vs i7-6900K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
+44.1%
Core i7-4960X
2013
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
6.32

Core i7-6900K outperforms Core i7-4960X by a considerable 44% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Core i7-4960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8421068
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.040.51
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7 (Desktop)
Power efficiency6.154.60
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)3 September 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020$999

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-6900K has 104% better value for money than i7-4960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Core i7-4960X 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 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4 GHz
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)15 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm22 nm
Die sizeno data257 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data67 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1,860 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Core i7-4960X 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i7-4960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Core i7-4960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Identity Protection-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i7-4960X 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 i7-4960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB64 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidthno data59.7 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i7-4960X.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4040

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
+44.1%
i7-4960X 6.32

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
+44.1%
i7-4960X 10042

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
+83%
i7-4960X 702

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
+108%
i7-4960X 3464

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-6900K 16860
+27%
i7-4960X 13280

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 6.32
Recency 31 May 2016 3 September 2013
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 130 Watt

i7-6900K has a 44.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and a 57.1% more advanced lithography process.

i7-4960X, on the other hand, has 7.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-4960X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Core i7-4960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
Intel Core i7-4960X
Core i7-4960X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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