Comparison between Intel Core i7-6850K and Intel Core i7-5960X
Both CPUs are manufactured by Intel.
Intel Core i7-6850K has a higher base speed of 3.6 GHz compared to Intel Core i7-5960X's 3.0 GHz.
Intel Core i7-6850K has a higher turbo speed of 4.0 GHz compared to Intel Core i7-5960X's 3.5 GHz.
Intel Core i7-5960X has more cores (8) compared to Intel Core i7-6850K's 6 cores.
Intel Core i7-5960X supports more threads (16) compared to Intel Core i7-6850K's 12 threads.
Both CPUs belong to the same class: Desktop.
Intel Core i7-6850K uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket, while Intel Core i7-5960X uses the LGA2011-v3 socket.
Intel Core i7-6850K was launched in Q2 2016, while Intel Core i7-5960X was launched in Q3 2014.
Intel Core i7-5960X has a larger L3 cache of 20 MB compared to Intel Core i7-6850K's 15 MB.
Specification Summary
The Intel Core i7-6850K and Intel Core i7-5960X are two processors with distinct specifications. Below is a detailed comparison of their key features:
Manufacturer: Both processors are manufactured by Intel.
Speed: The Intel Core i7-6850K has a base speed of 3.6 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-5960X runs at 3.0 GHz.
Turbo Boost: The Intel Core i7-6850K supports a turbo speed of 4.0 GHz, compared to 3.5 GHz for the Intel Core i7-5960X.
Cores: The Intel Core i7-6850K has 6 cores, while the Intel Core i7-5960X has 8 cores.
Threads: The Intel Core i7-6850K supports 12 threads, compared to 16 threads for the Intel Core i7-5960X.
Class: Both processors are designed for Desktop use.
Socket: The Intel Core i7-6850K uses the FCLGA2011-3, while the Intel Core i7-5960X uses the LGA2011-v3.
Launch Date: The Intel Core i7-6850K was launched on Q2 2016, while the Intel Core i7-5960X was released on Q3 2014.
L3 Cache: The Intel Core i7-6850K has 15 MB of L3 cache, compared to 20 MB for the Intel Core i7-5960X.
Detailed Specifications:
Specs
Intel Core i7-6850K
Intel Core i7-5960X
Manufacturer
Intel
Intel
Speed
3.6 GHz
3.0 GHz
Turbo
4.0 GHz
3.5 GHz
Cores
6
8
Threads
12
16
Class
Desktop
Desktop
Socket
FCLGA2011-3
LGA2011-v3
Launched
Q2 2016
Q3 2014
L3 Cache
15 MB
20 MB
Review:
Single Core Performance:
CPU Performance in single-threaded applications
Intel Core i7-6850K:
40%
Intel Core i7-5960X:
33%
* More is Better
Multi Core Performance:
CPU Performance in multi-threaded applications
Intel Core i7-6850K
16%
Intel Core i7-5960X:
18%
* More is Better
Power Efficiency:
Power Consumption of CPU under full load
Intel Core i7-6850K: 140 watts
35%
Intel Core i7-5960X: 140 watts
35%
* Lower is Better
Launched Date:
Time when the CPU was launched
Intel Core i7-6850K : Q2 2016 ✅
Intel Core i7-5960X : Q3 2014 ✅
* Newer is Better
CPU Launch FINAL SCORE:
CPU Final Rating Ratings
Intel Core i7-6850K
Intel Core i7-5960X
Pro's and Con's
Intel Core i7-6850K – Pros and Cons
Pros:
Higher Base Clock Speed: The Intel Core i7-6850K has a higher base clock speed of 3.6 GHz compared to the Intel Core i7-5960X's 3.0 GHz. This results in better performance for single-threaded tasks and general responsiveness.
Higher Turbo Boost Speed: The Intel Core i7-6850K supports a higher turbo boost speed of 4.0 GHz compared to the Intel Core i7-5960X's 3.5 GHz. This allows for better performance during peak workloads.
Faster Single-Core Performance: With a single-threaded performance score of 2403, the Intel Core i7-6850K outperforms the Intel Core i7-5960X (score: 1989). This makes it better suited for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as gaming or everyday productivity.
Higher CPU Mark Score: The Intel Core i7-6850K has a higher CPU Mark score of 96.15 compared to the Intel Core i7-5960X's 61.04. This indicates better overall performance across a wide range of tasks.
Cons:
Fewer Cores: The Intel Core i7-6850K has 6 cores, which is fewer than the Intel Core i7-5960X's 8 cores. This could impact performance in multi-threaded workloads, such as rendering, compiling code, or running virtual machines.
Fewer Threads: The Intel Core i7-6850K has 12 threads, which is fewer than the Intel Core i7-5960X's 16 threads. This may limit its ability to handle highly parallel workloads efficiently.
Lower Multi-Core Performance: In multi-threaded tasks, the Intel Core i7-6850K scores 11442, which is lower than the Intel Core i7-5960X's score of 12758. This makes the Intel Core i7-5960X a better choice for heavy multitasking or parallel processing.
Intel Core i7-5960X – Pros and Cons
Pros:
Newer Release: The Intel Core i7-5960X was launched more recently (Q3 2014) compared to the Intel Core i7-6850K (Q2 2016). This means it benefits from the latest advancements in technology, improved efficiency, and potentially better software optimization.
Larger L3 Cache: The Intel Core i7-5960X features a larger L3 cache of 20MB compared to the Intel Core i7-6850K's 15MB. A larger cache improves performance in memory-intensive tasks, such as video editing or 3D rendering, by reducing latency and speeding up data access.
Cons:
Not available
Productivity
Intel Core i7-6850K
This cpu Handles Mid Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease.
It can also be used for Mid Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.
Intel Core i7-5960X
This cpu Handles Mid Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease.
It can also be used for Mid Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.
Gaming
Intel Core i7-6850K
Ideal for Mid Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Mid Level level computing.
Intel Core i7-5960X
Ideal for Mid Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Mid Level level computing.
Verdict
Intel Core i7-6850K
The Intel Core i7-6850K is a reliable and Mid Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Mid Level computing needs or those building a New PC.
Intel Core i7-5960X
The Intel Core i7-5960X is a reliable and Mid Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Mid Level computing needs or those building a New PC.
