Intel Core i7-5930K vs Intel Core i7-6900K

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-5930K or Intel Core i7-5930K – 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 i7-5930K features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2014 and belongs to the 5 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-5930K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
The Intel Core i7-6900K features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2016 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-6900K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-5930K Name Intel Core i7-6900K
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
5 Generation 6
Intel Core i 5000X Group Intel Core i 6000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-5930K has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-5930K is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.7 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-6900K has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6900K is 3.2 GHz
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.7 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.5 GHz Frequency 3.2 GHz
12 Threads 16
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6 CPU Cores 8
6x Cores 8x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-5930K does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-6900K does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

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 --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

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 68.2 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 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 4
64.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
68.2 GB/s Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
DDR4-2133 Memory type DDR4-2400
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 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.
-- Tjunction max --
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 140 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-5930K 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 i7-6900K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
Q3/2014 Release date Q2/2016
-- 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, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Haswell E Architecture Skylake S
22 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2011-3 Socket LGA 2011-3
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
499 $ Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
15.0 MB L3-Cache 20.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
14474
14474
Intel Core i7-5930K
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
10302
10302

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7651
7651
Intel Core i7-5930K
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
5788
5788

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7471
7471
Intel Core i7-5930K
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
6032
6032

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
4402
4402
Intel Core i7-5930K
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
3043
3043

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1254
1254
Intel Core i7-5930K
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
1132
1132

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1086
1086
Intel Core i7-5930K
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
984
984