Average Bench: 85.9% (171st of 1445)

Based on 6,755 user benchmarks.  Devices: BFEBFBFF000406F1, 1FABFBFF000406F1, 0000000000000000, 0F8BFBFF000406F1, 1F8BFBFF000406F1 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6900K CPU @ 3.20GHz

The Core i7-6900K is one of four new Broadwell-E prosumer CPUs. This model has eight cores with base and turbo frequencies of 3.2 and 4.0 GHz respectively. The 6900K is based on a 14 nm architecture, it has a TDP of 140 watts, 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes and no integrated graphics. Because of its MSRP of $1,100, the 6900K only makes sense for very niche use cases which include top end graphics design and video production. Comparing the 6900K and 6700K shows that for typical desktop use the 6900K only offers a gain of around 12% for a whopping three fold price increase. This is because desktop computing largely depends on single core performance and the Skylake i7-6700K is both clocked higher and has higher IPC due to its one generation lead over the 6900K. That said, as a workstation CPU the 6900K is bested only by the $2,000 flagship ten core 6950X. (6900K vs 6950X[Jun '16 CPUPro]

Poor: 76%Average: 85.9% Great: 98%
Gaming
Gaming 86%
Aircraft carrier
Desktop
Desktop 86%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 83%
Aircraft carrier

Very good average bench

The Intel Core i7-6900K averaged just 14.1% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This is an excellent result which ranks the Intel Core i7-6900K near the top of the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 87.3Pts
Avg. Quad Core Speed 454Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i7-6900K is 21.9%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i7-6900K performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Octa Core Speed 819Pts
Avg. Multi Core Speed 1,206Pts
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Average Bench

(Based on 6,755 samples)
Min Avg Max
77.8 Memory 87.3 95.9
89.4 1-Core 114 138
181 2-Core 228 276
80.9% 143 Pts
Min Avg Max
375 4-Core 454 545
669 8-Core 819 985
76.4% 637 Pts
Min Avg Max
1,008 64-Core 1,206 1,428
74.6% 1,206 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 8 cores, 16 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.35 GHz (avg)
Memory 94.3
1-Core 116
2-Core 231
84% 147 Pts
4-Core 464
8-Core 874
80% 669 Pts
64-Core 1,194
74% 1,194 Pts
SOCKET 2011, 1 CPU, 8 cores, 16 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.7 GHz (avg)
Memory 82.9
1-Core 115
2-Core 230
80% 143 Pts
4-Core 453
8-Core 788
75% 620 Pts
64-Core 1,158
72% 1,158 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 8 cores, 16 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
Memory 81.9
1-Core 112
2-Core 211
76% 135 Pts
4-Core 440
8-Core 873
78% 657 Pts
64-Core 1,154
71% 1,154 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 8 cores, 16 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
Memory 89.3
1-Core 107
2-Core 215
78% 137 Pts
4-Core 393
8-Core 756
68% 575 Pts
64-Core 1,096
68% 1,096 Pts
6,755 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 67,868,430 CPUs tested

 Prices

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MSRP ≈ $1100 @ launch in Jun '16
AmazonUS $1209 mins
EbayUS $21119 mins
BHPhotoUS $1,0506 years
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Typical Core i7-6900K Builds (Compare 861 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 91%
Nuclear submarine
Desktop
Desktop 88%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 89%
Aircraft carrier

Motherboard: Asus X99-DELUXE II - $452

EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 97% - Outstanding Total price: $861

Popular Core i7-6900K compatible motherboards:

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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) May 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

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Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i7-6900K Processor (20M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
Code NameBroadwell E
Launch DateQ2'16
Processor Numberi7-6900K
# of Cores8
# of Threads16
Cache20 MB
Instruction Set64-bit
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography14 nm
Recommended PriceN/A
Clock Speed3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency4 GHz
Scalability1S Only
Max TDP140 W

Graphics

Processor GraphicsNone

Memory

Max Memory Size128 GB
Memory TypesDDR4 2400/2133
Memory Channels4
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision3.0
Max # of PCI Express Lanes40

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsYes

Advanced Technologies

Turbo Boost 3.0 TechYes
Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Turbo Boost Tech2.0
Hyper-Threading TechYes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)Yes
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
vPro TechNo
Smart Response TechYes

Package

Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedLGA2011-v3

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechNo

 Comments

Added 7 years ago.

Poor

5 months ago.

after years - price is reasonable and affordable if used purchase.


Good

7 years ago.


Average

4 years ago.

OC as well @ high temp add unstabile; also much options available


Your
opinion?
1445 Processors (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

See how consistently different CPUs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

 Frequently Asked Questions

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The Best.
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Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $175Nvidia RTX 4070 $550Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $39SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $32Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GB $45SanDisk Extreme 32GB $28
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