Core i7-6850K

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i7-6850K

Sysbuilds Alpha Stage!

Please take all results with a big grain of salt. Sysbuilds is in alpha stage at the moment which can lead to wrong data, strange counting errors, silly results and more. This site is under active development.

Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i7-6850K based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

5,507 Rank: 473
Rank Name Score Visual
469 Ryzen 7 2800H 5,521
+0.3%
470 Xeon Gold 6132 5,517
+0.2%
471 Core i5-10400H 5,515
+0.1%
472 FX-9370 5,511
+0.1%
473 Core i7-6850K 5,507
474 Xeon E5-1660 v4 5,505
+-0%
475 Intel Core i7-4960HQ 5,505
+-0%
476 FX-9590 5,505
+-0%
477 Xeon E5-2690 v4 5,504
-0.1%
478 Core i7-6785R 5,504
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7-6850K based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

5,361 Rank: 448
Rank Name Score Visual
444 Xeon D-1577 5,371
+0.2%
445 Xeon Gold 5215 5,370
+0.2%
446 Xeon E5-2650L v4 5,365
+0.1%
447 Ryzen 5 2600E 5,364
+0.1%
448 Core i7-6850K 5,361
449 Ryzen 5 3600X 5,356
-0.1%
450 AMD Ryzen 5 1500X 5,356
-0.1%
451 Core i9-10980HK 5,351
-0.2%
452 Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U 5,344
-0.3%
453 Xeon D-1548 5,342
-0.4%

View full ranking →

Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7-6850K based on single-threaded benchmark results.

5,605 Rank: 481
Rank Name Score Visual
477 Xeon E3-1276 v3 5,616
+0.2%
478 Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE 5,614
+0.2%
479 Core i5-7440EQ 5,611
+0.1%
480 Xeon W-3223 5,606
+0%
481 Core i7-6850K 5,605
482 Core i7-1185G7 5,603
+-0%
483 Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 5,602
-0.1%
484 Xeon Gold 6430 5,601
-0.1%
485 EPYC 7F52 5,599
-0.1%
486 Xeon E5-1650 v3 5,598
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i7-6850K based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,865 Rank: 472
Rank Name Score Visual
468 Xeon E-2136 4,869
+0.1%
469 Core i7-7800X 4,867
+0%
470 Xeon E5-2643 v4 4,865
+0%
471 Core i7-8700 4,865
+0%
472 Core i7-6850K 4,865
473 Xeon E5-1650 v4 4,863
+-0%
474 Ryzen 5 2600X 4,861
-0.1%
475 Core i5-10500 4,861
-0.1%
476 Ryzen 7 4700U 4,861
-0.1%
477 Xeon W-2133 4,860
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7-6850K based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,856 Rank: 508
Rank Name Score Visual
504 Core i7-10850H 4,859
+0.1%
505 Xeon E5-1650 v4 4,858
+0%
506 Core i7-10750H 4,857
+0%
507 Xeon E-2276M 4,856
+0%
508 Core i7-6850K 4,856
509 Core i7-4960X 4,850
-0.1%
510 Ryzen 5 3500X 4,848
-0.2%
511 Ryzen 5 3500 4,848
-0.2%
512 Core Ultra 5 134U 4,848
-0.2%
513 Ryzen 3 5425U 4,848
-0.2%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7-6850K based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,921 Rank: 449
Rank Name Score Visual
445 Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U 4,929
+0.2%
446 Ryzen 3 7440U 4,924
+0.1%
447 Core i9-9980HK 4,922
+0%
448 Core i7-8700 4,921
+0%
449 Core i7-6850K 4,921
450 Xeon E5-2695 v2 4,921
+0%
451 Core i5-8600K 4,920
+-0%
452 Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE 4,919
+-0%
453 Core i5-10500 4,915
-0.1%
454 Xeon E5-2690 v2 4,914
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Core i7-6850K Details

The Intel Core i7-6850K, launched in May 2016, is a six-core desktop processor built on the Broadwell-E architecture, representing a high-end offering from Intel’s 14 nm process node. At the time of its release, it was positioned as a powerful CPU for enthusiasts and professionals requiring high single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. As of early 2026, the Core i7-6850K is considered a legacy part, having been surpassed by several generations of both Intel and AMD processors. Despite its age, it remains notable for its unlocked multiplier and support for Intel Hyper-Threading, which enables 12 threads across its six cores.

The processor operates at a base frequency of 3.6 GHz, with a turbo boost up to 4.0 GHz, and features 14.3 MB of L3 cache, which helps reduce memory latency and improve performance in data-intensive applications. It is manufactured using a 14 nm process and contains 3.4 billion transistors, operating on the LGA2011-v3 socket. With a TDP of 140 W, the i7-6850K demands robust cooling solutions, particularly when overclocked. It supports quad-channel DDR4 memory up to 2400 MT/s, with a maximum memory capacity of 128 GB, and includes 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes directly from the CPU.

The Core i7-6850K lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output. It supports a range of advanced instruction sets, including AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, and BMI1/BMI2, enhancing performance in encryption, multimedia, and computational tasks. Virtualization technologies such as VT-x and VT-d are also supported, making it suitable for virtual machine environments. While it does not support AVX-512, its instruction set is still capable of handling modern workloads efficiently.

In benchmark testing, the Core i7-6850K achieves an Overall Score of 5507, placing it at #473 among 2060 processors. Its Singlecore Score of 5605 ranks it at #481, and its Multicore Score of 5361 places it at #448. In comparison, it slightly outperforms the Ryzen 5 3600X and AMD Ryzen 5 1500X but trails behind more modern CPUs such as the Ryzen 5 2600E and Xeon E5-2650L v4. In the single-core category, it competes closely with high-end desktop processors like the Core i5-7440EQ and Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE. In multicore performance, it falls behind newer six-core and eight-core processors but remains competitive with several mid-range and older high-end CPUs.

The Core i7-6850K’s performance, while impressive for its time, is now overshadowed by modern processors from both Intel and AMD, particularly in single-threaded tasks where newer architectures offer significant gains. Its high TDP and lack of integrated graphics make it unsuitable for modern compact systems. However, for users with existing Broadwell-E platforms or those seeking a cost-effective upgrade path, the i7-6850K still offers solid performance, especially in applications that benefit from its high core count and Hyper-Threading capabilities.

In summary, the Core i7-6850K is a capable but aging processor, best suited for legacy systems or users who prioritize compatibility and overclocking flexibility over cutting-edge performance. While it no longer ranks among the top-tier CPUs, its robust feature set and strong multi-threaded performance ensure it remains a viable option in specific use cases, particularly in workstations or enthusiast builds where its unlocked multiplier and high cache size provide tangible benefits.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 2 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 2 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4214 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4208 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4108 2 views

Intel Core i7-7567U 1 view

Intel Core i7-7560U 1 view

Intel Core i7-6850K

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i7-6850K
Model Number: i7-6850K
Cores: 6
Threads: 12
Base Frequency: 3600 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 36x (locked)
Core Name: Broadwell-E
Socket: LGA2011-v3
Package:
Target Segment: Desktop
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 140 W

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 31.744 KiB
L2 Cache: 0.244 MiB
L3 Cache: 14.305 MiB

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR4 2400/2133
Memory Channels: 4
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 3.0
PCIe Lanes: 40

Integrated Graphics

GPU: None

Physical Specifications

Process: 14 nm
Die Area: 246 mm²
Manufacturer: Intel
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.2 AVX AVX2 BMI1 BMI2 FMA3 AES CLMUL F16C x86-64 HT EIST TXT VT-x VT-d EPT
Related News

AMD Unveils Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 with 192MB L3 Cache – and Pragmata Reveals Switch 2 Performance Gap vs. PS5

AMD has unveiled the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, a 16-core CPU with dual 3D V-Cache and a total of 192 MB L3 cache, available star...

2 sources · 1 week ago

Intel Nova Lake-S with 44 Cores? Leak Suggests Cache Strategy Shift and New Wildcat Lake Generation

A leak suggests Intel's Nova Lake-S processors may shift from 42 to 44 cores, indicating a change in tile configuration...

2 sources · 4 days ago

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition Available Before Launch – Lenovo Unveils New Legion Gaming Tablets

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition with dual 3D V-Cache is already available ahead of its official launch on April 22...

2 sources · 2 days ago

Intel Launches Core Series 3 'Wildcat Lake' – New AI-Powered CPUs for Budget Laptops and Edge Devices

Intel has officially launched the Core Series 3 'Wildcat Lake', a new CPU lineup for budget laptops and edge devices fea...

3 sources · 4 days ago

Intel Core Ultra 400 'Nova Lake': New Desktop CPUs with Up to 52 Cores and 288 MB Cache Unveiled

Intel is set to launch the Core Ultra 400 series, codenamed Nova Lake, for desktop systems featuring up to 52 cores and...

3 sources · 6 days ago

Login

Forgot your password?

Your experience on this site will be improved by allowing cookies.