Ryzen Threadripper 7960X vs i7-6900K

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.46
Ryzen Threadripper 7960X
2023
24 cores / 48 threads, 350 Watt
54.45
+476%

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X outperforms Core i7-6900K by a whopping 476% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Ryzen Threadripper 7960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking83227
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.9931.35
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency6.1614.19
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Storm Peak (2023)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)19 October 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020$1,499

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X has 3067% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Ryzen Threadripper 7960X 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)24 (Tetracosa-Core)
Threads1648
Base clock speed3.2 GHz4.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5.3 GHz
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)128 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm5 nm
Die sizeno data4x 71 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data26,280 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Ryzen Threadripper 7960X 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
SocketFCLGA2011sTR5
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt350 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen Threadripper 7960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Ryzen Threadripper 7960X 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 Ryzen Threadripper 7960X are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Ryzen Threadripper 7960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data

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 Ryzen Threadripper 7960X.

PCIe version3.05.0
PCI Express lanes4048

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 9.46
Ryzen Threadripper 7960X 54.45
+476%

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
Ryzen Threadripper 7960X 83333
+476%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.46 54.45
Recency 31 May 2016 19 October 2023
Physical cores 8 24
Threads 16 48
Chip lithography 14 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 350 Watt

i7-6900K has 150% lower power consumption.

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X, on the other hand, has a 475.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 years, 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and a 180% more advanced lithography process.

The Ryzen Threadripper 7960X 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 Ryzen Threadripper 7960X, 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
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X
Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.7 107 votes

Rate Core i7-6900K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.9 42 votes

Rate Ryzen Threadripper 7960X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-6900K or Ryzen Threadripper 7960X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.