Intel Core i3-10105F vs Intel Core i7-6700K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105F boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-6700K boosts to 4.20 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor supports a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700K has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i3-10105F has 6 MB.

Q: Which CPU is still in production?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105F is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i7-6700K is End-of-life.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105F averages 12644, with a percentile ranking of 67. The Intel Core i7-6700K averages 12237, also ranking at the 67th percentile.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-6700K have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes HD Graphics 530. The Intel Core i3-10105F has no integrated graphics.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-10105F belongs to the Comet Lake generation, specifically the Comet Lake-R codename, built on Intel's 14 nm process. The Intel Core i7-6700K uses the Skylake architecture, also on a 14 nm node, with a die size of 122 mm². Both are desktop parts with 4 cores and 8 threads, but their platform ecosystems differ significantly.

The i3-10105F uses the Intel Socket 1200, while the i7-6700K uses Intel Socket 1151. Memory support diverges: the i3-10105F supports DDR4 only, while the i7-6700K supports both DDR3 and DDR4 depending on the motherboard. Memory bandwidth favors the newer part: 42.7 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s for the i7-6700K. Both use dual-channel memory buses and neither supports ECC.

Cache layouts are identical for L1 and L2: 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively. The difference appears at L3, where the i7-6700K holds 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared on the i3-10105F.

The i7-6700K has an unlocked multiplier, the i3-10105F does not. The i7-6700K includes integrated HD Graphics 530; the i3-10105F has no integrated graphics. PCIe support is the same: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i3-10105F launched in March 2021, while the i7-6700K launched in August 2015. The i3-10105F is still Active, the i7-6700K is End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data tells a close story across most workloads. The i7-6700K wins 9 tests, the i3-10105F wins 9 tests, and one test is effectively a tie. The margins are mostly small, but the pattern is clear: the older i7 holds a slight edge in rendering and single-core Cinebench tests, while the i3 pulls ahead in several Passmark workloads.

In Cinebench, the i7-6700K wins every test by under 1%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 765 versus 759, a delta of -0.8%. R15 single core shows 108 versus 107, a -0.9% difference. R20 multicore: 3189 versus 3165 (-0.8%), and R20 single core: 450 versus 446 (-0.9%). R23 multicore: 7594 versus 7537 (-0.8%), and R23 single core: 1072 versus 1064 (-0.7%). These are consistent but tiny margins, indicating nearly identical rendering performance.

Geekbench splits the pair. The i7-6700K wins multicore with 5011 versus 4920, a -1.8% delta. The i3-10105F wins single core with 1470 versus 1442, a 1.9% advantage. This reversal shows the i3's higher boost clock (4.40 GHz versus 4.20 GHz) helping in lightly threaded work.

Passmark results favor the i3-10105F in most categories. Data compression goes to the i3 at 130647 versus 125659, a 4% lead. Extended instructions: 8753 versus 8248, a 6.1% lead, the largest margin in the entire comparison. Floating point math: 18166 versus 17375, a 4.6% lead. Integer math: 28921 versus 28144, a 2.8% lead. Random string sorting: 16414 versus 15788, a 4% lead. Single thread: 2647 versus 2500, a 5.9% lead.

The i7-6700K fights back in other Passmark tests. Data encryption: 3067 versus 3045, a -0.7% margin. Find prime numbers: 30 versus 25, a -16.7% delta, the largest win for either side. Physics: 637 versus 571, a -10.4% delta. Passmark multithread is essentially a dead heat: 8930 versus 8927, with a delta of 0%.

The overall average benchmark score puts the i3-10105F ahead at 12644 versus 12237, a difference of roughly 407 points. Yet both CPUs sit at the 67th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy the same performance tier despite the i3's higher average.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-10105F | Intel Core i7-6700K |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Skylake |

| Codename | Comet Lake-R | Skylake |

| Generation | Core i3 (Comet Lake) | Core i7 (Skylake) |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 91 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Die Size | Not listed | 122 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 (depends on motherboard) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | None | HD Graphics 530 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2015-08-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $97 | $339 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRH8V | SR2L0SR2BR |

The base clocks differ by 0.30 GHz in favor of the i7-6700K, but the boost clock reverses that with a 0.20 GHz advantage for the i3-10105F. The i7-6700K draws 91 W TDP versus 65 W for the i3-10105F, a meaningful power difference. The i7-6700K also has 2 MB more L3 cache. The i3-10105F has higher memory bandwidth and a newer socket.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i3-10105F as the better overall performer. Its average benchmark score of 12644 exceeds the i7-6700K's 12237. The i3-10105F wins single-threaded Passmark by 5.9%, extended instructions by 6.1%, and floating point math by 4.6%. It also does this while drawing 65 W versus 91 W, and it remains in Active production.

The i7-6700K is not without merits. It wins every Cinebench test, though by less than 1% each time. It also dominates in find prime numbers by 16.7% and physics by 10.4%. Its 8 MB L3 cache and 4.00 GHz base clock help in those specific workloads. But the i3-10105F counters with higher boost clock, higher memory bandwidth, and a newer platform.

For a buyer choosing between these two today, the i3-10105F is the stronger recommendation. It is newer, still active, more power efficient, and posts a higher average benchmark score. The i7-6700K is end-of-life, consumes more power, and only wins in narrow margins outside its two standout Passmark tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-10105F wins in general-purpose computing and math-heavy tasks. Passmark integer math, floating point math, and extended instructions all favor it. Data compression and random string sorting also go its way, with 4% leads in both. Single-threaded work is its territory: Passmark single thread shows a 5.9% advantage, and Geekbench single core shows 1.9%. This makes it suitable for everyday responsiveness, office workloads, and any application that relies on burst performance from a high boost clock.

The Intel Core i7-6700K wins in rendering and specific computational patterns. It leads all Cinebench tests, though by margins under 1%. Its physics score of 637 versus 571 is a 10.4% advantage, and its prime number finding score of 30 versus 25 is a 16.7% lead. These results suggest strength in simulation-style workloads and certain integer-heavy algorithms. The i7-6700K also wins data encryption by 0.7% and Geekbench multicore by 1.8%.

The multithreaded Passmark score is a tie at 8930 versus 8927, meaning neither CPU has a meaningful edge in heavily threaded general workloads. Users running rendering tasks that follow the Cinebench pattern will see the i7-6700K slightly ahead, while users running mixed desktop workloads will see the i3-10105F win more often. The i3-10105F also offers the practical advantages of an active production status and lower TDP, both of which matter for long-term system building.