Intel Core i7-5960X vs Intel Core i7-6850K

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-5960X or Intel Core i7-5960X – 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 i7-5960X features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 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 i7-5960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
The Intel Core i7-6850K features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 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 i7-6850K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
Intel Core i 5000X Group Intel Core i 6000
5 Generation 6
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-5960X Name Intel Core i7-6850K
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-5960X has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-5960X is 3.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.5 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-6850K has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6850K is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
16 Threads 12
8x Cores 6x
8 CPU Cores 6
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.8 GHz
3.0 GHz Frequency 3.6 GHz
3.2 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-5960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-6850K does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

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

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.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR4-2133 Memory type DDR4-2400
No ECC No
64.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
4 Memory channels 4
68.2 GB/s Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
 
 

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.
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 140 W
-- Tjunction max 100 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-5960X 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 20.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-6850K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 15.0 MB cache.
Q3/2014 Release date Q2/2016
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
22 nm Technology 14 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
829 $ Release price 628 $
Haswell E Architecture Skylake S
20.0 MB L3-Cache 15.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 2011-3 Socket LGA 2011-3
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
12709
12709
Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
11397
11397

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7843
7843
Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
6711
6711

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7640
7640
Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
6214
6214

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3944
3944
Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3480
3480

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1302
1302
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1154
1154

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1116
1116
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1002
1002

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
279.7
279.7
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
254.1
254.1