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Intel Core i5-8600K vs Intel Core i7-6950X

Intel
VS
Intel
Performance
Core i5-8600K
10,83329% of 36,991
Core i7-6950X51% better
16,40344% of 36,991

The Core i7-6950X has 51% better performance than the Core i5-8600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-8600K343% better
42.1535% of 121.53
Core i7-6950X
9.528% of 121.53

The Core i5-8600K has 343% better value for the money than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

#

About the Intel Core i5-8600K CPU

The Intel Core i5-8600K is an end-of-life 6-core (6-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2017 with a suggested retail price of $257. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Coffee Lake microarchitecture. The i5-8600K is compatible with Intel Socket 1151 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-8600K supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i5-8600K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 9 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-8600K features 6 total cores which can process 6 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.6 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.3 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i5-8600K includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 630. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i5-8600K has the 226th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 720 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 29.29% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 10,833 score and $257 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 42.15. This is the 68th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-6950X CPU

The Intel Core i7-6950X is an end-of-life 10-core (20-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q2 2016 with a suggested retail price of $1,723. It is part of Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, which is based on the Broadwell-E microarchitecture. The i7-6950X is compatible with Intel Socket 2011-3 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-6950X supports DDR4 memory and features a quad-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 4 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-6950X has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 25 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-6950X features 10 total cores which can process 20 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.0 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.5 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-6950X does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-6950X has the 113th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 720 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 44.34% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 16,403 score and $1,723 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 9.52. This is the 200th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i5-8600KCore i7-6950X
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i5Core i7 Extreme
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ4 2017Q2 2016
Launch Price (MSRP)$257$1,723
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i5-8600K
10,83329% of 36,991
Core i7-6950X51% better
16,40344% of 36,991

The Core i7-6950X has 51% better performance than the Core i5-8600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-8600K is ranked 226th with a score of 10,833, and the Core i7-6950X is ranked 113th with a score of 16,403.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-8600K343% better
42.1535% of 121.53
Core i7-6950X
9.528% of 121.53

The Core i5-8600K has 343% better value for the money than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-8600K is ranked 68th with a performance per dollar of 42.15, and the Core i7-6950X is ranked 200th with a performance per dollar of 9.52.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i5-8600K or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Ryzen 9 390016,803+55%
Ryzen 5 5600G16,538+53%
Core i7-6950X16,403+51%
Core i5-11600K16,381+51%
Core i5-11400F15,367+42%
Ryzen 5 160011,164+3%
Core i7-4790K10,886+0%
Core i5-8600K10,833
Ryzen 3 310010,702-1%
Core i7-5775C9,976-8%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i5-8600K or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i7-870043.93+4%
Ryzen 5 140043.57+3%
Core i5-8600K42.15
Core i7-970041.86-1%
Core i5-850041.36-2%
Core i9-9980XE9.72-77%
Core i9-9900T9.65-77%
Core i7-6950X9.52-77%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i5-8600KCore i7-6950X
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
10,833
16,403
(+51.42%)
3DMark Time Spy CPU
--
9,697
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
989.5
1,859
(+87.87%)
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
181
(+16.4%)
155.5
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
5,687
8,620
(+51.57%)
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,574
(+19.15%)
1,321
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
10,199
17,418
(+70.78%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,592
(+10.86%)
2,338
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i5-8600KCore i7-6950X
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size14 nm14 nm
Transistors--3,400 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i5-8600KCore i7-6950X
SeriesCore i5Core i7 Extreme
MicroarchitectureCoffee LakeBroadwell-E
CodenameCoffee LakeBroadwell-E
Memory SupportDDR4DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelQuad-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i5-8600KCore i7-6950X
Cores610
Threads620
Clock Speed3.6 GHz3.0 GHz
Turbo Clock4.3 GHz3.5 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier36.0x30.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i5-8600KCore i7-6950X
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB256 KB
L3 Cache9 MB25 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i5-8600KCore i7-6950X
SocketIntel Socket 1151Intel Socket 2011-3
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x40
Thermal Design Power (TDP)95 W140 W
Tcase Max72 °C67 °C
TJ Max100 °C--

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i5-8600KCore i7-6950X
Integrated GraphicsUHD Graphics 630--
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 2.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 3.0

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.