Intel Core i7-5960X vs Intel Core i7-6700K
20.5Single-core30.7
34.1Multi-core27
43.4Gamingspec-based25.6
10 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X7 spec wins — Intel Core i7-6700K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i7-5960X wins this desktop processor face-off, 32.3 to 27.8, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+7). Intel Core i7-6700K still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X
- Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 27
- 150% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 8 MB
- 150% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 16
- 100% higher cores: 8 vs 4
- 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-6700K
- Stronger single-core score: 31 vs 21
- 38% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,420 vs 1,030
- 36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm
- 35% lower Base TDP: 91 W vs 140 W
- 33% higher Base clock: 4 GHz vs 3 GHz
- Lower launch price: $339 vs $999
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014 | 2015 |
| Socket | LGA2011-v3 | LGA1151 |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm+36% |
| Base TDP | 140 W | 91 W+35% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+100% | 8 |
| Base clock | 3 GHz | 4 GHz+33% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.2 GHz+20% |
| L2 cache | 2 MB+100% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 20 MB+150% | 8 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2133 | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 4+100% | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-6700K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,030Bottom 5% | 1,420+38%Bottom 25% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,100+31%Bottom 28% | 4,650Bottom 18% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 870Bottom 4% | 1,090+25%Bottom 15% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,300+66%Bottom 27% | 5,000Bottom 14% |
| PassMark | 15,800+78%Bottom 28% | 8,900Bottom 13% |
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