Intel Core i5-6600K vs Intel Core i7-8706G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-8706G wins every single head-to-head test recorded in the database. Out of six Cinebench comparisons, it takes all six. The i5-6600K does not post a single victory.

The margin is consistent across both multi-core and single-core workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8706G scores 641 against 540 for the i5-6600K, a lead of 18.7%. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 90 versus 76, a delta of 18.4%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-8706G again leads by 18.7% in multi-core (2674 vs 2252) and by 18.9% in single-core (377 vs 317). The R23 results continue the trend: multi-core 6368 vs 5363, an 18.7% advantage, and single-core 899 vs 757, an 18.8% edge.

What stands out is the uniformity of the gap. The i7-8706G is roughly 18 to 19% faster in every test, regardless of thread count or rendering complexity. This suggests the performance difference is structural, not workload-specific. The i7-8706G does not merely edge ahead in one niche; it establishes a solid, repeatable margin across the entire Cinebench suite.

For context, the i7-8706G sits at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 1842. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-7600 at 1844 (a 0.1% difference) and the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G at 1836 (0.4% behind). The i5-6600K also sits at the 42nd percentile, with an average score of 1816. Its nearest competitors are the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 at 1817 (0.1% difference) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U at 1810 (0.3% behind). Both chips occupy the same performance tier overall, but the head-to-head data shows the i7-8706G pulling ahead in every direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments. The i7-8706G is built on Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake G codename, and is classified under the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) generation. It is a mobile part, soldered to Intel BGA 2270. The i5-6600K uses Skylake architecture, belongs to the Core i5 (Skylake) generation, and is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1151.

Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node, so the transistor geometry is identical. The core counts match as well: each has 4 physical cores. The crucial difference lies in threading. The i7-8706G supports 8 threads, while the i5-6600K is limited to 4 threads. That extra Hyper-Threading capability explains much of the multi-core performance gap.

Cache configurations differ too. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is 8 MB on the i7-8706G versus 6 MB on the i5-6600K. The larger L3 pool gives the mobile chip more room for frequently accessed data.

Clock speeds tell a more nuanced story. The i5-6600K has a higher base clock at 3.50 GHz versus 3.10 GHz on the i7-8706G. The boost clock, however, favors the i7-8706G: 4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. So the i7-8706G starts lower but ramps higher under load.

Thermal and power characteristics are very different. The i7-8706G has a 65 W TDP, while the i5-6600K draws 91 W. This is notable because the i7-8706G is a mobile processor, yet it delivers higher performance with a lower thermal budget. The i5-6600K is an unlocked part with a free multiplier, while the i7-8706G is locked. The i5-6600K also supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, whereas the i7-8706G only lists DDR4 support without a bandwidth figure in the database.

Integrated graphics are a major divergence. The i7-8706G pairs its CPU with a Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU. The i5-6600K relies on HD Graphics 530. The database records no benchmark scores for either iGPU, but the architectural difference is significant: the i7-8706G carries a discrete-class graphics solution, while the i5-6600K has a basic integrated unit.

Production status also differs. The i7-8706G is listed as Active, while the i5-6600K is End-of-life. Release dates show the i5-6600K launched in August 2015, and the i7-8706G arrived in January 2018.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The i7-8706G wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 641 vs 540 in R15, 2674 vs 2252 in R20, and 6368 vs 5363 in R23, an 18.7% advantage in each case.

Q: Does the i5-6600K win in any benchmark?

A: No. In the six head-to-head tests recorded, the i5-6600K loses every one. The closest margin is 18.4% in Cinebench R15 single-core.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-8706G has an average benchmark score of 1842, and the i5-6600K has 1816. Both sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Why does the i7-8706G have better multi-core performance?

A: The i7-8706G has 8 threads versus 4 threads on the i5-6600K. It also has a larger shared L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) and a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz vs 3.90 GHz).

Q: Can the i5-6600K be overclocked?

A: Yes. The i5-6600K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-8706G does not. This is a key advantage for enthusiasts, though the database records no overclocked benchmark results.

Q: Which processor has lower power consumption?

A: The i7-8706G has a 65 W TDP, compared to 91 W for the i5-6600K, despite being the faster chip in these tests.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the i7-8706G outperforms the i5-6600K in every recorded benchmark. It is faster in multi-core rendering by roughly 19%, faster in single-core rendering by roughly 19%, and does so with a lower TDP. The i5-6600K offers no performance advantage in any test in the database.

That said, the i5-6600K is not without its own merits. It is an unlocked desktop part, which means owners can raise the multiplier for potential overclocking gains, and it supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory. The i7-8706G is a locked mobile chip soldered to its socket, so there is no upgrade path and no manual tuning. But on raw stock performance, the i7-8706G is the clear winner.

The i5-6600K also has a launch MSRP of $242, which the database records as its original price. The i7-8706G has no launch MSRP listed. Neither chip is a current-generation part, but the i7-8706G remains active in production while the i5-6600K is end-of-life.

For anyone choosing between these two strictly on benchmark data, the i7-8706G is the better performer. The i5-6600K only makes sense if the use case demands an unlocked multiplier or a desktop socket with memory flexibility, neither of which is measured in the Cinebench results.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8706G | Intel Core i5-6600K |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 91 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2270 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Skylake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake G | Skylake |

| Generation | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) | Core i5 (Skylake) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Not listed | Dual-channel |

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

| ECC Memory | No | No |

| PCIe | Not listed | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon RX Vega M GL | HD Graphics 530 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2018-01-31 | 2015-08-04 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $242 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | Not listed | SR2L4 |

Where Each One Wins

The i7-8706G wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its strengths are clear: multi-core rendering, single-core rendering, and efficiency. The 18.7% multi-core lead in Cinebench R20 and R23 makes it the better choice for threaded workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, or any task that scales across threads. Its 65 W TDP also makes it suitable for compact or thermally constrained systems, despite being a mobile part. The integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU gives it a graphics capability far beyond the HD Graphics 530, though no iGPU benchmarks are recorded in the database.

The i5-6600K's advantages are not visible in benchmark scores, but they exist in the specification sheet. Its unlocked multiplier is a tool for overclocking, which could close the performance gap in the hands of a skilled user, though the database does not measure that scenario. Its support for DDR3 and DDR4 memory means it can work with older, cheaper memory platforms. Its desktop socket, Intel Socket 1151, allows for easy replacement or upgrade, unlike the soldered BGA 2270 on the i7-8706G. The higher base clock of 3.50 GHz may also provide more consistent performance in lightly threaded tasks that do not trigger boost behavior, though the benchmark data does not isolate that case.

For a builder focused purely on out-of-the-box performance, the i7-8706G is the pick. For a builder who values overclocking headroom, memory flexibility, and a serviceable desktop socket, the i5-6600K has a role, even if the recorded benchmarks do not favor it.