Intel Core i7-6700 vs Intel Core i5-14400F

The Intel Core i7-6700 (Skylake S architecture), introduced in 2015, targeted mainstream desktops for productivity and light gaming.

It is manufactured using a 14nm process and has 4 cores and 8 threads. Intel HD Graphics 530 is integrated. The Intel Core i5-14400F (Raptor Lake S Refresh), released in 2024, appeals to more demanding users for gaming and content creation.

It is manufactured using a 10nm process, with a hybrid architecture of 10 cores (6 Performance, 4 Efficient) and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-14400F significantly outperforms the Intel Core i7-6700 in single- and multi-core applications. Its more modern architecture, higher core count, and improved efficiency lead to many times higher computing power.

The Intel Core i5-14400F is also superior for gaming, thanks to higher single-core performance, larger L2 cache (10 MB vs. 0 MB), L3 cache (20 MB vs. 8 MB), and PCIe 5.0 support (vs. PCIe 3.0 of the Intel Core i7-6700). Both CPUs have a base TDP of 65 watts. While the Intel Core i5-14400F may exhibit higher peak power consumption, it offers significantly better performance per watt.

The Intel Core i7-6700 is now only available cheaply used, but its price-performance ratio for modern requirements is poor. The Intel Core i5-14400F, on the other hand, as a current processor in the mid-price segment, offers excellent performance for its price. For new systems and demanding tasks, the Intel Core i5-14400F is the clear recommendation.

The Intel Core i7-6700 is only an option for extremely budget-oriented upgrades of very old systems.