Intel Core i7-6700 vs Intel Core i5-7500

The Intel Core i7-6700 (Skylake-S architecture), manufactured using the 14nm process, was introduced for demanding desktop users.

It features 4 cores and 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, which gives it an advantage in multi-core applications. It is equipped with 8 MB of Level 3 Cache, a maximum memory bandwidth of 34 GB/s, and integrated Intel HD Graphics 530. In certain single-core benchmarks, it also shows an advantage over the Intel Core i5-7500.

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-6700 offers a potentially smoother experience due to its overall performance. It utilizes PCIe 3.0 and is recommended for compute-intensive tasks such as video editing. The Intel Core i5-7500 (Kaby Lake-S architecture), also manufactured using the 14nm process, targeted the mainstream market for everyday tasks and occasional gaming.

It has 4 cores and 4 threads without Hyper-Threading, which makes it inferior in multi-core loads. With 6 MB of Level 3 Cache, a maximum memory bandwidth of 38 GB/s, and integrated Intel HD Graphics 630, it offers a solid foundation. In single-core tasks, it is comparable to the Intel Core i7-6700 in some benchmarks.

Both CPUs are designed for standard desktop systems with comparable Thermal Design Power. The Intel Core i5-7500 offers good value for money for general use, while the Intel Core i7-6700 is the better choice for more demanding applications.