Intel Core i5-6600K vs Intel Core i7-6700

The Intel Core i7-6700 and Intel Core i5-6600K are desktop processors of the Intel Skylake S architecture, introduced around 2015.

Both are manufactured using a 14 nm process, support PCIe 3.0, and feature Intel HD Graphics 530 with a maximum memory bandwidth of 34 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-6700 (4 cores, 8 threads, 8 MB L3 cache) targeted demanding users. The Intel Core i5-6600K (4 cores, 4 threads, 6 MB L3 cache) was designed for enthusiasts and gamers with overclocking intentions.

In multi-core tasks, the Intel Core i7-6700 offers significantly higher performance thanks to Hyper-Threading, ideal for content creation. Single-core performance is comparable, with the Intel Core i5-6600K potentially gaining an advantage through overclocking. For gaming, the Intel Core i5-6600K was often the better choice; its overclocking capability allowed for higher clock speeds and thus better frame rates in games that depend on single-core performance.

The Intel Core i7-6700 is less critical here. The Intel Core i7-6700 typically has a lower standard TDP. The Intel Core i5-6600K can exhibit significantly higher power consumption when overclocked. In summary, the Intel Core i7-6700 offers superior multi-core performance for productive applications.

The Intel Core i5-6600K scores with its overclocking potential for higher single-core performance in games. For multithreading-intensive tasks, the Intel Core i7-6700 is better suited, while gamers who utilize overclocking benefit from the Intel Core i5-6600K.