Intel Core i7-6900K

Intel Core i7-6900K
Benchmarks & Specs

Last updated:
The Intel Core i7-6900K is a processor that garnered a lot of attention at the time of its release. Manufactured in 14 nm and based on the advanced Skylake S architecture, it set standards back then. This CPU chip offered exceptional multithreaded performance with its eight physical cores and sixteen threads.

This was a great advantage, especially for creative applications or complex multitasking. Another notable feature was the generously sized 20 MB L3 cache. This contributed significantly to the fast processing of data. For enthusiasts, the open multiplier function was particularly attractive. It made it possible to overclock this processor and thus customize the performance individually.

A reliable connection for modern components was ensured by the PCIe 3.0 connection. It supported high-performance graphics cards and fast storage solutions. With a maximum memory bandwidth of 77 GB/s, the processor moved data very efficiently. The Intel Core i7-6900K remains a testament to Intel's engineering prowess at the time.

We were surprised at how robust and powerful it still proves to be in many systems. It is undoubtedly a piece of hardware history that continues to hold its value.
  • High multithreaded performance (8 cores, 16 threads)
  • Large L3 cache (20 MB)
  • Overclocking capability
  • Solid PCIe 3.0 connectivity

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 341 / 602
In segment Desktop
Multi-core performance
Rank 240 / 573
In segment Desktop
Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread

Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread
Single-core performance

Intel Core i5-10400
6C / 12T · 4.30 GHz
280 pts
Intel Core i5-10400F
6C / 12T · 4.30 GHz
280 pts
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.70 GHz
274 pts
Intel Core i7-4790K
4C / 8T · 4.40 GHz
272 pts
Intel Core i7-6700
4C / 8T · 4.00 GHz
270 pts
Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
6C / 12T · 5.00 GHz
2,778 pts
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
6C / 12T · 4.40 GHz
2,706 pts
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.70 GHz
2,680 pts
Intel Core i7-8086K
6C / 12T · 5.00 GHz
2,660 pts
AMD Ryzen 7 5700GE
8C / 16T · 4.60 GHz
2,469 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G
4C / 8T · 4.00 GHz
1,162 pts
AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350GE
4C / 8T · 4.00 GHz
1,162 pts
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.70 GHz
1,151 pts
Intel Core i7-8700
6C / 12T · 4.60 GHz
1,146 pts
Intel Core i7-8700B
6C / 12T · 4.60 GHz
1,146 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Intel Xeon E5-2682 v4
16C / 32T · 2.90 GHz
12,138 pts
AMD Ryzen 5 5600T
6C / 12T · 4.40 GHz
11,465 pts
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.20 GHz
11,326 pts
Intel Core i5-11600K
6C / 12T · 4.60 GHz
11,277 pts
Intel Core i5-11600KF
6C / 12T · 4.60 GHz
11,277 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Intel Core i5-7500
4C / 4T · 3.80 GHz
1,260
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
16C / 32T · 4.40 GHz
1,255
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.70 GHz
1,254
AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750G
8C / 16T · 4.40 GHz
1,249
Intel Xeon Platinum 8168
24C / 48T · 3.70 GHz
1,249
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Intel Xeon Gold 6134
8C / 16T · 3.50 GHz
7,488
Intel Core i9-10900T
10C / 20T · 3.70 GHz
7,476
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.20 GHz
7,471
Intel Core i3-12100
4C / 8T · 4.00 GHz
7,428
Intel Core i3-12100F
4C / 8T · 4.00 GHz
7,428
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core
Single-core performance

Intel Xeon Gold 5220
18C / 36T · 3.90 GHz
1,087
Intel Xeon Gold 6212U
24C / 48T · 3.90 GHz
1,087
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.70 GHz
1,086
Intel Core i5-9400
6C / 6T · 4.10 GHz
1,085
Intel Core i5-9400F
6C / 6T · 4.10 GHz
1,085
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Intel Core i9-11900T
8C / 16T · 3.60 GHz
7,680
Intel Xeon Silver 4215R
8C / 16T · 3.80 GHz
7,658
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.20 GHz
7,651
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
6C / 12T · 4.20 GHz
7,612
Intel Xeon Gold 5315Y
8C / 16T · 3.60 GHz
7,589
CPU-Z Benchmark 17 Multi-Core

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Intel Core i7-9800X
8C / 16T · 3.80 GHz
4,467
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D
6C / 12T · 3.30 GHz
4,436
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C / 16T · 3.20 GHz
4,402
Intel Core i7-7820X
8C / 16T · 3.60 GHz
4,398
Intel Core i5-11600
6C / 12T · 2.80 GHz
4,383

More benchmarks

At a glance

PropertyValue
FamilyIntel Core i7 Extreme Edition (24)
CPU groupIntel Core i 6000 (24)
ArchitectureSkylake S
Technology14 nm
SegmentDesktop
SocketLGA 2011-3
Generation6
Predecessor
Successor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

PropertyValue
CPU Cores / Threads8 / 16
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturenormal
Cores: 8x
Frequency: 3.20 GHz
Turbo Frequency (1 Core): 3.70 GHz
Turbo Frequency (8 Cores):
L2-Cache
L3-Cache20.00 MB
OverclockingYes

Memory & PCIe

Memory typeMemory bandwidth
DDR4-2400
76.8 GB/s
PropertyValue
Max. Memory128 GB
Memory channels4
ECC
PCIe3.0 x 40
PCIe Bandwidth39.4 GB/s

Thermal Management

PropertyValue
TDP140 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.

Technical details

PropertyValue
Chip designMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsWindows 10, Linux
Instruction setx86-64 (64 bit)
ISA extensionsSSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Release dateQ2/2016
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet
Intel Core i7-6900K
Intel Core i7-6900K
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