Intel Core i7-4960X vs Intel Core i7-6700K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-4960X or Intel Core i7-4960X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-4960X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-4960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
The Intel Core i7-6700K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2015 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-6700K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-4960X Name Intel Core i7-6700K
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7
4 Generation 6
Intel Core i 4000X Group Intel Core i 6000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-4960X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-4960X is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.0 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-6700K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6700K is 4.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.2 GHz.
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.2 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.6 GHz Frequency 4.0 GHz
12 Threads 8
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 4.0 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6 CPU Cores 4
6x Cores 4x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-4960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-6700K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-6700K uses the Intel HD Graphics 530, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
-- Release date Q3/2015
-- Direct X 12
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 530
-- Technology 14 nm
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders 192
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 32.0 GB
-- Execution units 24
-- Generation 9
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.15 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- VC-1 Decode
-- VP9 Decode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- VP8 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
-- JPEG Decode / Encode
-- AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 2
64.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
59.7 GB/s Bandwidth 34.1 GB/s
DDR3-1866 Memory type DDR4-2133, DDR3-1866
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 91 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 91 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-4960X is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 15.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-6700K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
Q3/2013 Release date Q3/2015
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Ivy Bridge E Architecture Skylake S
22 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 1151
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
960 $ Release price 420 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
15.0 MB L3-Cache 8.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
20120
20120
Intel Core i7-6700K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
17028
17028

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
5189
5189
Intel Core i7-6700K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
4459
4459

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6700K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
4757
4757
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3460
3460

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6700K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
4665
4665
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3062
3062

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
2868
2868
Intel Core i7-6700K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
2313
2313

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6700K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
1347
1347
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
757
757

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1092
1092
Intel Core i7-6700K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
888
888