i9-9990XE vs i7-6900K

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
Core i9-9990XE
2018
14 cores / 28 threads, 255 Watt
18.99
+108%

Core i9-9990XE outperforms Core i7-6900K by a whopping 108% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking835305
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.962.83
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i9
Power efficiency6.167.05
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)19 October 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020$2,800

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9990XE has 195% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE 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)14 (Tetradeca-Core)
Threads1628
Base clock speed3.2 GHz4 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5.1 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 3.0
Bus rateno data4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data40
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)19.25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA20112066
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt255 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4 Quad-channel
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidthno data85.33 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4044

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
i9-9990XE 18.99
+108%

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
i9-9990XE 30162
+108%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 18.99
Recency 31 May 2016 19 October 2018
Physical cores 8 14
Threads 16 28
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 255 Watt

i7-6900K has 82.1% lower power consumption.

i9-9990XE, on the other hand, has a 108.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, and 75% more physical cores and 75% more threads.

The Core i9-9990XE is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6900K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Core i9-9990XE, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
Intel Core i9-9990XE
Core i9-9990XE

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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