Xeon W3690 vs i7-6900K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
+100%
Xeon W3690
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.55

Core i7-6900K outperforms Xeon W3690 by a whopping 100% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8421312
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.041.88
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency6.153.31
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Gulftown (2010−2011)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)14 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020$450

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon W3690 has 81% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690 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 GHz3.46 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.73 GHz
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data239 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data68 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switchingno data+
PAEno data40 Bit
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB24 GB
Max memory channels43
Maximum memory bandwidthno data32 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes40no data

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
+100%
Xeon W3690 4.55

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
+100%
Xeon W3690 7234

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
+130%
Xeon W3690 558

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
+177%
Xeon W3690 2599

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 4.55
Recency 31 May 2016 14 February 2011
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 130 Watt

i7-6900K has a 100.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

Xeon W3690, on the other hand, has 7.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon W3690 in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-6900K is a desktop processor while Xeon W3690 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Xeon W3690, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
Intel Xeon W3690
Xeon W3690

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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