Intel Core i5-1230U vs Intel Core i7-6700K Comparison

# Intel Core i5-1230U vs Intel Core i7-6700K

The Intel Core i5-1230U and Intel Core i7-6700K represent two very different eras of Intel silicon: a 10-core mobile hybrid from Alder Lake-U facing off against a 4-core desktop Skylake flagship from 2015. The benchmark data shows a split decision — the i5-1230U dominates in single-threaded and modern multi-core workloads, while the i7-6700K retains advantages in specific legacy and sustained-load scenarios. With 13 benchmark wins for the i5-1230U and 6 for the i7-6700K, this comparison hinges on workload characteristics rather than raw core counts.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1230U is the clear winner for single-threaded responsiveness and modern productivity. Its victory in Cinebench R15 single-core is particularly stark: a 73% advantage over the i7-6700K. That gap narrows but remains substantial in newer Cinebench versions, with a 22.2% lead in both R20 and R23 single-core tests. Geekbench single-core also favors the i5-1230U by 17.8%. For everyday use—web browsing, document editing, light photo work—the i5-1230U's newer architecture delivers visibly better per-core performance.

The i5-1230U also wins decisively in encryption and math-heavy workloads. Its PassMark data encryption score of 7176 is a 134% improvement over the i7-6700K's 3067. Floating-point math shows a 45.8% lead, integer math a 36.4% lead, and prime number finding an 83.3% advantage. Physics simulation in PassMark goes to the i5-1230U by 30%. These results suggest the Alder Lake architecture's modern instruction handling and memory subsystem provide substantial throughput gains in computational tasks.

The i7-6700K, meanwhile, wins in sustained multi-core rendering and compression. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7594 beats the i5-1230U's 4402 by 42%, and its R15 multi-core score of 765 beats 514 by 32.8%. Data compression favors the i7-6700K by 9.2%, extended instructions by 23.8%, and random string sorting by 19.2%. Geekbench multi-core is a virtual tie, with the i7-6700K ahead by just 2.7%. These are workloads where raw core throughput and sustained power delivery matter more than architectural efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divergence is architectural. The i5-1230U uses Alder Lake-U, built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the i7-6700K uses Skylake on 14 nm. The i5-1230U is a hybrid design with 10 cores and 12 threads, whereas the i7-6700K is a traditional 4-core, 8-thread part. This core count difference is central to the performance profile: the i5-1230U relies on thread count and efficiency, the i7-6700K on higher base clocks and desktop power delivery.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i5-1230U has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The i7-6700K has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The i5-1230U's larger per-core L2 cache is particularly notable—it is roughly five times larger per core—which helps explain its strong single-threaded performance despite lower clock speeds.

Memory support also diverges. The i5-1230U supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, while the i7-6700K supports DDR3 and DDR4 depending on the motherboard. The i7-6700K has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; the i5-1230U's bandwidth is not specified in the data. PCIe generation differs as well: the i5-1230U offers Gen 4, while the i7-6700K offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics highlight the generational leap. The i5-1230U ships with Iris Xe 80EU, while the i7-6700K has HD Graphics 530. The i5-1230U's TDP of 9 watts is dramatically lower than the i7-6700K's 91 watts—a 10x difference that reflects both process improvements and mobile versus desktop design goals.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the i5-1230U is PassMark data encryption, where it scores 7176 against 3067—a 134% margin. This is followed by Cinebench R15 single-core, where 186.8 versus 108 yields a 73% advantage. Prime number finding shows an 83.3% lead (55 vs 30), and floating-point math shows 45.8% (25340 vs 17375). Integer math trails at 36.4% (38401 vs 28144), with physics at 30% (828 vs 637). PassMark multithread gives the i5-1230U a 21.9% win (10881 vs 8927), and Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 22.4% (3903 vs 3189). Single-thread PassMark results are closer: 8.5% (2712 vs 2500).

The i7-6700K's largest win is Cinebench R23 multi-core at 42% (7594 vs 4402). Cinebench R15 multi-core follows at 32.8% (765 vs 514). Extended instructions show a 23.8% margin (8248 vs 6282), and random string sorting shows 19.2% (15788 vs 12760). Data compression is a narrower 9.2% win (125659 vs 114042), and Geekbench multi-core is nearly even at 2.7% (5011 vs 4875).

Geekbench single-core goes to the i5-1230U by 17.8% (1699 vs 1442), while Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core both show 22.2% margins (550 vs 450 and 1310 vs 1072, respectively). The overall wins tally is 13 for the i5-1230U and 6 for the i7-6700K.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The i5-1230U has 10 cores and 12 threads; the i7-6700K has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 1000 MHz for the i5-1230U versus 4000 MHz for the i7-6700K, while boost clocks are 4.40 GHz and 4.20 GHz respectively. TDP is the dramatic outlier: 9 watts versus 91 watts. The i5-1230U uses Intel BGA 1781, the i7-6700K uses Intel Socket 1151.

Process nodes are 10 nm versus 14 nm. The i7-6700K has a die size of 122 mm²; the i5-1230U's die size is not listed. Cache differences are substantial: L1 is 80 KB per core versus 64 KB, L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 256 KB, and L3 is 12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4/DDR5 for the i5-1230U versus DDR3/DDR4 for the i7-6700K. PCIe is Gen 4 versus Gen 3.

Integrated graphics are Iris Xe 80EU versus HD Graphics 530. Market segments are Mobile versus Desktop. Production status is Active versus End-of-life. Release dates are February 2022 versus August 2015. The i7-6700K has an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $339; the i5-1230U does not list an MSRP and has a locked multiplier. The i7-6700K also lists a part number of SR2L0SR2BR, and its memory bandwidth is specified at 34.1 GB/s.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-1230U wins every single-threaded benchmark in the comparison. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score is 186.8 versus 108 for the i7-6700K, a 73% advantage. Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core both show 22.2% leads, and Geekbench single-core shows a 17.8% margin.

Q: Does the older i7-6700K win any multi-core benchmarks?

A: Yes. The i7-6700K wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 42% (7594 vs 4402) and Cinebench R15 multi-core by 32.8% (765 vs 514). It also wins PassMark data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting. Geekbench multi-core is close, with the i7-6700K ahead by 2.7%.

Q: How significant is the TDP difference?

A: The i5-1230U has a TDP of 9 watts, while the i7-6700K has a TDP of 91 watts. That is more than a tenfold difference. The i5-1230U achieves its performance at a fraction of the power draw, though the i7-6700K's higher power envelope enables its sustained multi-core rendering wins.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The i5-1230U has more cache overall. Its L3 cache is 12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared, and its L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 256 KB per core. The i5-1230U also has 80 KB of L1 per core versus 64 KB.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The i5-1230U is from the Alder Lake generation, released in February 2022, while the i7-6700K is Skylake, released in August 2015. The i5-1230U uses a 10 nm process, and the i7-6700K uses a 14 nm process.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The i5-1230U is listed as Active in production, while the i7-6700K is listed as End-of-life. The i7-6700K had a launch MSRP of $339; the i5-1230U does not have a listed launch MSRP.