i9-10980HK vs i7-6900K

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.14
Core i9-10980HK
2020
8 cores / 16 threads, 45 Watt
10.77
+17.8%

Core i9-10980HK outperforms Core i7-6900K by a moderate 18% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Core i9-10980HK processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking834721
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.96no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Comet Lake
Power efficiency6.1522.55
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Comet Lake-H (2020)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)2 April 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020$583

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Core i9-10980HK 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads1616
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.4 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5.1 GHz
Bus rateno data8 GT/s
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)16 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 i9-10980HK 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCBGA1440
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-10980HK. 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++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Core i9-10980HK 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 i9-10980HK are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-10980HK. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data45.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel® UHD Graphics for 10th Gen Intel® Processors
Quick Sync Video-+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.25 GHz

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-6900K and Core i9-10980HK integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
DVIno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-10980HK integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304@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 i9-10980HK 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 i9-10980HK.

PCIe version3.04.0
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 9.14
i9-10980HK 10.77
+17.8%

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
i9-10980HK 17037
+17.7%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.14 10.77
Recency 31 May 2016 2 April 2020
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 45 Watt

i9-10980HK has a 17.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, and 211.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-10980HK is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6900K in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-6900K is a desktop processor while Core i9-10980HK is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Core i9-10980HK, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
Intel Core i9-10980HK
Core i9-10980HK

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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