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 '16CPUPro]
This was the ultimate niche CPU. At the time of its release, it had an optimal combination of multi-core performance without sacrificing as much single- and quad- as the higher-core CPUs, at an excellent price-point. It utilizes quad-channel RAM. If you were a content creator without external funding, had one machine in the budget, then this chip might even now in mid-2019 be what you're looking for.
The higher-end Threadrippers will throw more cores at you... for up to five times the price. If you've a home studio, running a DAW on the same PC you use for everything; or you do your own video editing; or you're an independent streamer; then those extra 12 or 18 cores aren't really going to help you that much anyway, for all that extra cash - AND those CPUs have lower performance in more common applications (single- low-thread apps). Not worth it. Intel isn't even on the table, of course.
If you're reading this in the future: these benchmarks have multiple categories for a reason. Read and think. Find the best combination for what you intend to do with it - not some arbitrary "the best" overall. There is no such thing, because you won't be using your computer for Overall, now will you? [Aug '19spacefiddle]
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]
Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.