Core i7-6900K

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i7-6900K

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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 i7-6900K based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

5,590 Rank: 425
Rank Name Score Visual
421 Xeon E3-1240 v6 5,592
+0%
422 Core i5-7640X 5,592
+0%
423 Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U 5,592
+0%
424 Core i3-7300 5,591
+0%
425 Core i7-6900K 5,590
426 Core i5-7600K 5,588
+-0%
427 Core i7-10700T 5,587
-0.1%
428 Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U 5,583
-0.1%
429 Core i3-7101E 5,581
-0.2%
430 Xeon Gold 6140 5,580
-0.2%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7-6900K based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

5,465 Rank: 409
Rank Name Score Visual
405 Xeon W-3223 5,489
+0.4%
406 Core i7-9700K 5,476
+0.2%
407 Xeon D-2146NT 5,476
+0.2%
408 Xeon E5-2670 v3 5,474
+0.2%
409 Core i7-6900K 5,465
410 Ryzen 7 5800U 5,464
+-0%
411 Core i7-10700 5,462
-0.1%
412 Xeon E5-2648L v4 5,458
-0.1%
413 Xeon W-2140B 5,453
-0.2%
414 Ryzen 7 1700X 5,452
-0.2%

View full ranking →

Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7-6900K based on single-threaded benchmark results.

5,674 Rank: 440
Rank Name Score Visual
436 Xeon W-3345 5,681
+0.1%
437 AMD Ryzen 7 1700 5,680
+0.1%
438 Ryzen 7 2700 5,677
+0.1%
439 Xeon Gold 6334 5,676
+0%
440 Core i7-6900K 5,674
441 Ryzen 5 4600U 5,674
+0%
442 Core i5-7600T 5,673
+-0%
443 Core i5-6585R 5,673
+-0%
444 Xeon W-2135 5,672
+-0%
445 Core i5-10500 5,671
-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 i7-6900K based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,997 Rank: 385
Rank Name Score Visual
381 Xeon Gold 5215 5,007
+0.2%
382 Ryzen 9 4900H 5,006
+0.2%
383 Xeon W-2140B 5,005
+0.2%
384 Core i9-10900T 4,999
+0%
385 Core i7-6900K 4,997
386 Ryzen 9 4900HS 4,997
+0%
387 Xeon E-2336 4,996
+-0%
388 Xeon E5-2697 v2 4,993
-0.1%
389 Xeon Silver 4116T 4,992
-0.1%
390 Xeon Silver 4116 4,991
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7-6900K based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,997 Rank: 421
Rank Name Score Visual
417 Core Ultra 7 165U 5,017
+0.4%
418 Ryzen 5 2600E 5,014
+0.3%
419 Xeon E5-2680 v2 5,009
+0.2%
420 Xeon E-2336 5,007
+0.2%
421 Core i7-6900K 4,997
422 Ryzen 5 1600 4,997
+0%
423 Core i7-5960X 4,993
-0.1%
424 Ryzen 5 4600U 4,992
-0.1%
425 Xeon E5-2650 v4 4,989
-0.2%
426 Core i7-10875H 4,987
-0.2%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7-6900K based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

5,081 Rank: 349
Rank Name Score Visual
345 Core i7-9700K 5,090
+0.2%
346 Ryzen 7 6800U 5,087
+0.1%
347 Ryzen 5 5600GT 5,086
+0.1%
348 Ryzen 7 7735U 5,085
+0.1%
349 Core i7-6900K 5,081
350 Ryzen 5 5600G 5,080
+-0%
351 Ryzen Threadripper 1920X 5,079
+-0%
352 Core i7-9700KF 5,078
-0.1%
353 Ryzen 5 5500 5,076
-0.1%
354 Xeon W-1350P 5,076
-0.1%

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Core i7-6900K Details

The Intel Core i7-6900K represents a significant leap in high-end desktop performance, particularly for enthusiasts and professionals who demand both raw power and overclocking flexibility. Launched in May 2016, this processor is now over seven years old, placing it firmly in the category of legacy high-performance hardware. Despite its age, the i7-6900K remains a compelling option for users who prioritize multi-threaded workloads and are willing to manage its high thermal output. Built on Intel’s 14 nm Broadwell-E architecture, the chip is manufactured using 3.4 billion transistors and features a 246 mm² die, offering a robust foundation for its performance capabilities.

At its core, the i7-6900K is an 8-core, 16-thread processor with a base frequency of 3.2 GHz and a turbo frequency reaching 4.0 GHz. The processor’s unlocked multiplier makes it highly attractive to overclockers, allowing fine-tuned adjustments to achieve higher performance levels. It operates on the LGA2011-v3 socket and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, with a maximum rated speed of 2400 MT/s and a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The processor supports up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory across four channels, making it suitable for demanding applications such as video editing, 3D rendering, and virtualization.

The i7-6900K lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for visual output. This design decision reflects its positioning as a performance-focused processor rather than a mainstream consumer or mobile solution. However, it supports a wide range of advanced features, including Intel Hyper-Threading, AVX2, AES-NI, and Intel VT-x virtualization, which enhance performance in compute-intensive and virtualized environments. The processor also supports ECC memory, although this requires a compatible motherboard and memory.

In benchmark testing, the i7-6900K achieves an overall score of 5590, ranking #425 out of 2060 processors, with a single-core score of 5674 (#440) and a multicore score of 5465 (#409). These results place it just behind high-end mainstream CPUs like the Core i7-9700K and the Xeon D-2146NT, but ahead of many modern mid-tier processors. Its performance is particularly strong in single-threaded tasks, where it ranks among the top 450 processors, but it trails behind the latest-generation high-end CPUs in multicore workloads. The processor’s 140 W TDP demands robust cooling solutions, making it best suited for well-ventilated desktop systems with high-performance cooling.

As of March 2026, the Core i7-6900K is no longer a mainstream option, having been superseded by newer architectures from both Intel and AMD. However, its combination of high clock speeds, unlocked multiplier, and strong multi-threading capabilities make it a viable choice for users who are building or upgrading older systems and prioritize raw performance over modern efficiency. It remains a testament to Intel’s high-end desktop strategy during the mid-2010s, offering a balance of power and overclocking potential that is still appreciated by some enthusiasts.
Frequently Compared

Intel Xeon Silver 4110 20 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4116T 20 views

Intel Core i7-7700 19 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4108 19 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 18 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 18 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4214 18 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 17 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4109T 17 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 16 views

Intel Core i7-6900K

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i7-6900K
Model Number: i7-6900K
Cores: 8
Threads: 16
Base Frequency: 3200 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 32x (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: 19.073 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
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