i9-12900KS vs i7-6950X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6950X
2016
10 cores / 20 threads, 140 Watt
10.92
Core i9-12900KS
2022
16 cores / 24 threads, 150 Watt
27.66
+153%

Core i9-12900KS outperforms Core i7-6950X by a whopping 153% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking719177
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.89no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency7.3817.45
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)5 April 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,723no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads2024
Base clock speed3 GHz3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5.3 GHz
Bus rate9.6 GT/s / QPIno data
L1 cache32K (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache25 MB (shared)30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size246 mm2215 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data90 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
Number of transistors3,800 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS. 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 Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.55 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4020

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.

i7-6950X 10.92
i9-12900KS 27.66
+153%

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.

i7-6950X 17340
i9-12900KS 43936
+153%

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.

i7-6950X 1316
i9-12900KS 2706
+106%

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.

i7-6950X 8570
i9-12900KS 16154
+88.5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 10.92 27.66
Recency 31 May 2016 5 April 2022
Physical cores 10 16
Threads 20 24
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 150 Watt

i7-6950X has 7.1% lower power consumption.

i9-12900KS, on the other hand, has a 153.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, and 60% more physical cores and 20% more threads.

The Core i9-12900KS is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6950X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KS, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6950X
Core i7-6950X
Intel Core i9-12900KS
Core i9-12900KS

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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