Intel Core i7-7700 vs Intel Core i5-6600

The Intel Core i5-6600 (Skylake-S, Q3 2015) targeted mainstream users. The Intel Core i7-7700 (Kaby Lake-S, Q1 2017) was aimed at users with higher performance demands.

Both Intel CPUs use 14 nm and PCIe 3.0. The Intel Core i5-6600 offers 4 Cores/4 Threads, 6 MB L3 Cache, 34 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-7700 features 4 Cores/8 Threads (Hyper-Threading), 8 MB L3 Cache, 38 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-7700 shows noticeably higher single-core performance.

Its multi-core performance also significantly surpasses the Intel Core i5-6600, due to Hyper-Threading and a larger L3 Cache. For gaming, the Intel Core i7-7700 generally offers better performance due to higher clock speeds and threads. Its integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 is more powerful.

However, a dedicated graphics card is usually necessary for demanding gaming. Both 14 nm CPUs have similar power consumption. The Intel Core i7-7700 requires slightly more power under full load. TDP and cooling requirements are comparable, however. The Intel Core i5-6600 was once more affordable. Today, both are available on the used market.

The Intel Core i7-7700 often fetches a higher used price due to its better performance. The Intel Core i5-6600 is good for standard tasks and casual gaming. For intensive multitasking, video editing, or gaming, the Intel Core i7-7700 is the superior choice, thanks to higher performance and additional threads.