Intel Core i5-1250P vs Intel Core i7-6950X Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-1250P has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-6950X has 10 cores and 20 threads. The i5-1250P leads in core count by two, but the i7-6950X has four additional threads due to its Hyper-Threading implementation across all cores.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The i5-1250P wins every single-core benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2203 against 2107 for the i7-6950X, a 4.6% advantage. The margin is nearly identical across all Cinebench versions, suggesting a consistent architectural edge rather than a workload-specific result.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The i5-1250P is rated at 28W TDP, while the i7-6950X is rated at 140W TDP. The mobile chip consumes dramatically less power, which aligns with its mobile market segment and the desktop chip's extreme-tier positioning.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-6950X has a 25 MB shared L3 cache, more than double the 12 MB shared L3 cache found on the i5-1250P. Despite this cache deficit, the i5-1250P still outperforms the i7-6950X in all recorded multi-core tests.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The i5-1250P uses Intel BGA 1744, a mobile socket, while the i7-6950X uses Intel Socket 2011-3, a desktop platform socket. These are not interchangeable, meaning each processor is locked to its respective platform type.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: No. The i5-1250P is listed as Active in production status, while the i7-6950X is marked as End-of-life. The i7-6950X was released on 2016-05-30, and the i5-1250P followed on 2022-02-22.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the i5-1250P wins all six head-to-head comparisons. There is no recorded test where the i7-6950X takes the lead. The wins span every Cinebench version, covering both multi-core and single-core workloads. This means the i5-1250P is the better choice for rendering, simulation, and any CPU-bound task measured by these tests.

That said, the i7-6950X retains a few structural advantages that do not appear in the benchmark table. It has a 25 MB L3 cache, quad-channel memory support with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, compared to the i5-1250P's 12 MB L3, dual-channel memory, and 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. For workloads that rely heavily on memory bandwidth or need many PCIe lanes for expansion cards, the older desktop chip offers a platform-level edge that the mobile chip cannot match.

The i7-6950X also has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the i5-1250P is locked. In a system where manual tuning is part of the workflow, the i7-6950X could potentially close the performance gap, though the database does not include overclocked results.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different eras and design philosophies. The i5-1250P uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-P codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It is a hybrid design with a mix of performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the exact core arrangement. Its 12 cores and 16 threads suggest a configuration with performance and efficiency core types, which is a hallmark of the Alder Lake generation.

The i7-6950X uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-E, built on Intel's 14 nm process. It is a homogeneous design with 10 full-performance cores, each capable of two threads. The die size is larger at 246 mm² versus 217 mm² for the i5-1250P, and the i7-6950X packs 3,400 million transistors, while the i5-1250P's transistor count is not recorded.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i5-1250P has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the i7-6950X has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. The i7-6950X compensates with a much larger shared L3 pool, 25 MB versus 12 MB. This means the newer chip favors per-core cache responsiveness, while the older chip provides a larger shared pool for data-heavy multi-threaded workloads.

The i5-1250P integrates Iris Xe 80EU graphics, while the i7-6950X has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the mobile chip self-sufficient for display output, whereas the desktop chip requires a discrete GPU.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1250P | Intel Core i7-6950X |

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

| Cores | 12 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 1700.00 MHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 28W | 140W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe 80EU | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2022-02-22 | 2016-05-30 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $1723 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

The clock speeds tell a clear generational story. The i5-1250P has a lower base clock at 1700 MHz but a much higher boost clock at 4.40 GHz, while the i7-6950X sits at 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The newer chip relies on aggressive turbo behavior to reach its performance levels, while the older chip runs closer to its maximum frequency out of the box.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six direct comparisons, all in the Cinebench suite. The i5-1250P wins every one, and the margins are remarkably consistent.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-1250P scores 1573 against 1504 for the i7-6950X, a 4.6% lead. The single-core test shows 222 versus 212, a 4.7% edge. These are the largest and smallest deltas in the set, respectively, but they are nearly identical.

Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern. Multi-core shows 6556 versus 6268, again a 4.6% advantage for the i5-1250P. Single-core shows 925 versus 884, also 4.6%. The consistency across R15 and R20 suggests the performance gap is structural and not dependent on the specific workload intensity.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend. Multi-core scores are 15610 for the i5-1250P and 14926 for the i7-6950X, a 4.6% difference. Single-core scores are 2203 versus 2107, again 4.6%. Every multi-core test and every single-core test lands within a narrow band of 4.6% to 4.7%.

The i7-6950X does have additional Geekbench results in its own benchmark list, with a multi-core score of 10637 and a single-core score of 1334. The i5-1250P does not have Geekbench results recorded in this database, so a direct comparison on that test is not possible.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner in raw performance: the Intel Core i5-1250P. It outperforms the i7-6950X in all six recorded Cinebench comparisons, with a consistent 4.6% to 4.7% margin. This is notable because the i5-1250P does so with fewer threads, a smaller L3 cache, and a dramatically lower TDP of 28W versus 140W. The architectural improvements from Broadwell to Alder Lake, plus the higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 3.50 GHz, appear to overcome the older chip's thread count and cache advantages.

For users building a new system, the i5-1250P is the logical pick if the workload aligns with Cinebench-style rendering and multi-threaded CPU tasks. It is also the only one of the two that is still in active production. The i7-6950X is end-of-life, so sourcing it would require existing stock or used parts.

However, the i7-6950X is not without purpose in the database. Its quad-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it a stronger platform for memory-intensive applications or systems requiring many expansion cards. The unlocked multiplier also offers tuning potential that the locked i5-1250P cannot provide. For a user with a specific need for those platform features, the older chip still has a role, but the benchmark scores show it is behind in CPU compute performance.

The percentile rankings are close, with the i5-1250P at the 58th percentile and the i7-6950X at the 59th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-6950X has a higher average benchmark score of 4734 versus 4515 for the i5-1250P, but that average includes Geekbench results not present in the head-to-head set. When directly compared on the same tests, the i5-1250P wins every time. The verdict from the recorded data is straightforward: the newer mobile processor is the faster chip in these workloads, while the older desktop processor holds value only for its unique platform capabilities.