Intel Core i3-1210U vs Intel Core i7-6700K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-1210U wins every single-core benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1187 versus 1072 for the i7-6700K, a 10.7% lead. PassMark single-thread shows a larger 34.2% gap, with 3354 points versus 2500.

Q: Does the older i7-6700K beat the newer i3 in any test?

A: Yes, the i7-6700K wins 3 of 17 head-to-head tests. It leads in PassMark data compression (125659 vs 102965, 18.1% ahead), extended instructions (8248 vs 5852, 29% ahead), and random string sorting (15788 vs 11727, 25.7% ahead).

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The i3-1210U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The i7-6700K has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite fewer physical cores, the i7 still ties in thread count due to Hyper-Threading.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i3-1210U averages 12795 points across all tests, placing it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-6700K averages 12237 points, at the 67th percentile. That is a 4.6% overall advantage for the i3.

Q: What is the power draw difference between these two?

A: The i3-1210U has a TDP of 9 watts. The i7-6700K has a TDP of 91 watts. The i3 uses roughly one-tenth the power envelope, though the actual power consumption depends on the system design.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory standards?

A: The i3-1210U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The i7-6700K supports DDR3 and DDR4, depending on the motherboard. The i3 also uses PCIe Gen 4, while the i7 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Architecture Differences

The i3-1210U is built on Alder Lake architecture, using Intel's 10 nm process node. It is a mobile-market chip with a BGA 1781 socket, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard and not upgradeable. The i7-6700K uses Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process, with a 122 mm² die size, and fits the desktop Socket 1151. The i7 is an unlocked part with a free multiplier, while the i3 is locked.

Core configurations differ significantly. The i3 packs 6 cores and 8 threads; the i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache layouts also diverge. The i3 uses 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 10 MB of shared L3. The i7 uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The i3's larger L3 pool helps with data reuse across the 6-core cluster.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The i7 runs a 4.00 GHz base clock and a 4.20 GHz boost clock. The i3 has a much lower 1.00 GHz base clock, but boosts to 4.40 GHz. That high boost is what drives its single-core wins. The i3's low base clock reflects its 9 W TDP design, versus the i7's 91 W TDP.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3 includes UHD Graphics 64EU. The i7 includes HD Graphics 530. The i3 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i7 supports DDR3 and DDR4 depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the i7 lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, a figure the i3 does not report.

Production status separates them clearly. The i3 is listed as Active, released on 2022-02-22. The i7 is End-of-life, released on 2015-08-04. The i7's launch MSRP was $339, while the i3 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i3-1210U dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 847 versus 765 for the i7, a 10.7% win. Single-core R15 shows 119 versus 108, a 10.2% edge. R20 multi-core gives 3533 versus 3189, a 10.8% win; R20 single-core gives 498 versus 450, a 10.7% lead. R23 multi-core shows 8413 versus 7594, again 10.8% ahead. R23 single-core is 1187 versus 1072, 10.7% ahead. Across every Cinebench version, the i3 wins by roughly 10-11%, a consistent margin.

PassMark results are more mixed. The i3 wins integer math 34445 to 28144, a 22.4% advantage. Floating point math goes 23815 to 17375, a 37.1% lead. Physics scores 781 to 637, a 22.6% win. Prime number finding shows 51 to 30, a 70% edge. Multithread is 10228 to 8927, a 14.6% win. Data encryption is the biggest i3 win: 6348 versus 3067, a 107% doubling of the i7's score.

The i7 strikes back in three workloads. Data compression favors the i7 by 18.1%, with 125659 points versus 102965. Extended instructions go to the i7 by 29%, with 8248 versus 5852. Random string sorting is the i7's third win, 15788 versus 11727, a 25.7% margin.

Single-thread PassMark is a clear i3 victory: 3354 versus 2500, a 34.2% gap. That is the same score recorded twice in the database, confirming the result. Overall, the i3 wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the i7 wins only 3.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1210U | Intel Core i7-6700K |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1000 MHz | 4000 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4400 MHz | 4200 MHz |

| TDP | 9 W | 91 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1781 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Skylake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | Not listed | 122 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB per core | 256 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | 10 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 34.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | HD Graphics 530 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2022-02-22 | 2015-08-04 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $339 |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | Yes |

The Verdict

The data points to the i3-1210U as the stronger overall processor. Its average benchmark score of 12795 beats the i7's 12237 by 4.6%. It wins 14 of 17 benchmark comparisons, including every single-core test and all Cinebench versions. The i3 also consumes a fraction of the power, with a 9 W TDP versus 91 W, making it far more efficient for sustained mobile workloads.

The i7-6700K retains niche advantages. It leads in data compression, extended instruction throughput, and random string sorting, suggesting its older architecture handles certain integer-heavy or branch-heavy patterns better. Its higher base clock of 4.00 GHz versus 1.00 GHz also gives it a steadier low-load response, though the i3's 4.40 GHz boost overtakes it under load.

For most users, the i3-1210U is the better choice. It is newer, active in production, and delivers higher scores across rendering, math, encryption, and general single-thread performance. The i7's only clear benefits are its unlocked multiplier for overclocking and its desktop socket for easy replacement. Those matter only to enthusiasts on legacy platforms.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i3-1210U wins in: all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both multi-core and single-core, by roughly 10% each. It also wins PassMark integer math (22.4% ahead), floating point math (37.1% ahead), physics (22.6% ahead), prime number finding (70% ahead), multithread (14.6% ahead), data encryption (107% ahead), and single-thread (34.2% ahead). These results make it the pick for rendering, computational physics, encryption workloads, and any single-threaded application like older games or office software.

Intel Core i7-6700K wins in: PassMark data compression (18.1% ahead), extended instructions (29% ahead), and random string sorting (25.7% ahead). These wins suggest the i7 handles compression algorithms, AVX-style extended instruction sets, and sorting-heavy tasks with better efficiency, likely due to its higher sustained base clock and older, simpler core design. For users running archive tools, data processing pipelines, or sorting algorithms, the i7 still holds a measurable edge.

The overall record remains lopsided in favor of the i3. It wins 14 out of 17 benchmarks, and its single-thread dominance is decisive. The i7's three wins are real but narrow in scope, confined to specific data manipulation tasks. For general computing, the i3-1210U is the superior chip. For legacy desktop builds where the i7 is already installed, its compression and instruction throughput keep it useful, but it is not a better buy today.