Intel Core i7-6700K vs Intel Core i9-12900K
30.7Single-core72.2
27Multi-core70.4
25.6Gamingspec-based63.8
2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-6700K17 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 27.8, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+43) and single-core (+42). 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 i7-6700K
- 27% lower Base TDP: 91 W vs 125 W
- 25% higher Base clock: 4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz
- Lower launch price: $339 vs $648
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K
- Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 31
- Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 27
- 1300% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 1 MB
- 425% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,229 vs 5,000
- 362% higher PassMark: 41,103 vs 8,900
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-6700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2015 | 2021 |
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 14 nm | 10 nm+29% |
| Base TDP | 91 W+27% | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | — | 241 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-6700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 16+300% |
| Performance cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 8 | 24+200% |
| Base clock | 4 GHz+25% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.2 GHz | 5.2 GHz+24% |
| L2 cache | 1 MB | 14 MB+1300% |
| L3 cache | 8 MB | 30 MB+275% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-6700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel HD Graphics 530 | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | 1,150 MHz | 1,550 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-6700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i7-6700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-6700K | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,420Bottom 25% | 2,715+91%Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,650Bottom 19% | 17,450+275%Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,090Bottom 15% | 1,903+75%Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 5,000Bottom 14% | 26,229+425%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 8,900Bottom 13% | 41,103+362%Top 24% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core i7-6700Kvs Intel Core i7-4790KVSIntel Core i7-6700Kvs Intel Core i5-9400FVSIntel Core i7-6700Kvs Intel Core i3-10100FVSIntel Core i7-6700Kvs Intel Core i5-8400VSIntel Core i9-12900Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3DVSIntel Core i9-12900Kvs AMD Ryzen 9 5950XVSIntel Core i9-12900Kvs Intel Core i5-14600KVSIntel Core i9-12900Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 9700XVS