Intel Core i7-3770K vs Intel Core i7-6700TE Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3770K and Intel Core i7-6700TE represent two distinct design philosophies from Intel, separated by three years of architectural evolution. The 3770K is an unlocked, high-clock desktop part from the Ivy Bridge era, while the 6700TE is a low-power, locked Skylake derivative aimed at efficiency. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the older 3770K dominates Cinebench workloads, while the newer 6700TE takes a decisive lead in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. This page analyzes where each CPU excels and what the numbers say about their respective strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770K has an average benchmark score of 1688, while the Intel Core i7-6700TE scores 1666. The 3770K holds a slight edge, with a delta of roughly 1.3% based on these averages.

Q: How does the 3770K perform in Cinebench R23 multi-core compared to the 6700TE?

A: The 3770K scores 5542 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 5.1% ahead of the 6700TE's 5273. This is the largest multi-core win for the 3770K in the Cinebench suite.

Q: Where does the 6700TE achieve its most significant victory?

A: The 6700TE wins big in Geekbench single-core, scoring 1028 against the 3770K's 860. This represents a 16.3% advantage for the 6700TE, its largest margin in any test.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-3770K and the Intel Core i7-6700TE are placed in the 40th percentile when compared to all CPUs. This indicates they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite their architectural differences.

Q: What are the closest rivals to the 3770K based on average score?

A: The closest rival to the 3770K is the Intel Core i7-5850HQ with an identical average score of 1688 and a 0% delta. The AMD Ryzen 7 3750H is also close, with a score of 1690 and a delta of -0.1%.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth specification?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700TE supports DDR4 memory and has a specified bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The 3770K, which uses DDR3, has a lower specified bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is significant, spanning multiple generations of Intel design. The Intel Core i7-3770K is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. In contrast, the Intel Core i7-6700TE is based on the newer Skylake architecture and utilizes a more advanced 14 nm process node. This process shrink is a fundamental difference, allowing the 6700TE to achieve higher efficiency despite its lower clock speeds.

The 3770K has a die size of 160 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors, whereas the 6700TE does not have published figures for either die size or transistor count in the data. Both processors feature four cores and eight threads, indicating simultaneous multithreading is present on both. The cache hierarchy is identical in configuration, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This means architectural differences in performance come from the core design itself, not cache capacity.

Memory support is another clear divider. The 3770K supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The 6700TE moves to DDR4 support, also on a dual-channel bus, but with a higher bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. This gives the newer part a theoretical memory throughput advantage. Both CPUs use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, but they are on different sockets: the 3770K uses Intel Socket 1155, while the 6700TE uses Intel Socket 1151.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 3770K includes Intel HD 4000, while the 6700TE features HD Graphics 530. Production status also separates them: the 3770K is end-of-life, whereas the 6700TE is listed as active. The 3770K has an unlocked multiplier and a part number of SR0PL, while the 6700TE is locked and has the part number SR2LP. The release dates are also distinct, with the 3770K launching in 2012 and the 6700TE in 2015.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a clear picture of two different performance profiles. Across the Cinebench suite, the Intel Core i7-3770K is the consistent winner. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 3770K scores 558 against the 6700TE's 531, a 5.1% advantage. The single-core test in R15 shows a similar story, with the 3770K at 78 and the 6700TE at 74, giving the 3770K a 5.4% lead. This pattern holds in Cinebench R20, where the 3770K wins multi-core with 2327 versus 2214, and single-core with 328 versus 312, both by 5.1%.

The Cinebench R23 results reinforce this dominance. The 3770K achieves 5542 in multi-core, beating the 6700TE's 5273 by 5.1%. In single-core R23, the 3770K scores 782 against 744, again a 5.1% margin. Across all six Cinebench tests, the 3770K wins decisively, with deltas consistently around 5%. This suggests that the older architecture, despite its older process node, is more effective at sustaining performance in this rendering workload, likely due to its higher base and boost clocks.

However, the Geekbench results flip the script. In Geekbench multi-core, the 6700TE scores 3154, defeating the 3770K's 3027 by a margin of 4%. The single-core Geekbench test is an even more emphatic win for the 6700TE, with a score of 1028 against the 3770K's 860, a massive 16.3% advantage. This indicates that the Skylake architecture has a significant per-core efficiency advantage that manifests in Geekbench's workload, which likely benefits from newer instructions and better memory latency characteristics. The 6700TE wins two tests, while the 3770K takes six.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two CPUs diverge on several key points. The base clock differs substantially: the 3770K runs at 3.50 GHz, while the 6700TE is significantly lower at 2.40 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the 3770K reaching 3.90 GHz and the 6700TE boosting to 3.40 GHz. This clock speed advantage for the 3770K is a primary driver of its Cinebench wins.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The 3770K has a TDP of 77 watts, while the 6700TE is rated at just 35 watts. This makes the 6700TE a much more power-efficient part, more than halving the thermal envelope of the 3770K. The socket types differ, as noted, with the 3770K on Socket 1155 and the 6700TE on Socket 1151, meaning they are not interchangeable.

The process node is another differentiating factor, with the 3770K using 22 nm and the 6700TE using 14 nm. Memory support changes from DDR3 to DDR4, with a corresponding increase in memory bandwidth from 25.6 GB/s to 34.1 GB/s. The integrated graphics are different models, and the 3770K has an unlocked multiplier while the 6700TE is locked. The 3770K has a launch MSRP of $313, while the 6700TE has no listed launch MSRP. The 3770K is end-of-life, while the 6700TE is active.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3770K is the clear winner in Cinebench-based workloads. Across all three versions of Cinebench tested (R15, R20, and R23), the 3770K outperforms the 6700TE by roughly 5% in both single-core and multi-core tests. This suggests that the 3770K is a better choice for applications that are heavily threaded and rely on raw clock speed, such as 3D rendering, video encoding, and other content creation tasks that scale with CPU frequency. The unlocked multiplier on the 3770K also indicates headroom for overclocking, which could extend its lead further, though the data does not include overclocked results.

The Intel Core i7-6700TE wins decisively in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance where it is 16.3% ahead. This points to the Skylake architecture's superior per-core efficiency and IPC (instructions per clock) improvements. For workloads that are latency-sensitive or depend on single-threaded performance, such as general desktop responsiveness, office productivity, or legacy software that doesn't utilize many cores, the 6700TE would be the better performer. Its Geekbench multi-core win, while smaller at 4%, also suggests it holds up well in mixed workloads.

The 6700TE also has a significant advantage in power efficiency, with a 35 watt TDP versus 77 watts. This makes it ideal for compact systems, silent builds, or always-on machines where heat and power consumption are primary concerns. The 3770K, with its higher TDP and end-of-life status, is more suited for users prioritizing raw performance over efficiency. The 6700TE's active production status also makes it a more viable option for new builds requiring a current part.

The Verdict

Choosing between these two CPUs depends entirely on the workload. The data shows that the Intel Core i7-3770K is the superior choice for Cinebench-style rendering tasks, consistently leading by 5.1% across multi-core tests. If the primary use case involves video rendering, 3D modeling, or batch processing that leverages all threads, the 3770K is the stronger performer based on the benchmark results. Its higher clock speeds and unlocked multiplier give it an edge in these scenarios, despite its older architecture.

Conversely, the Intel Core i7-6700TE is the pick for single-threaded performance and efficiency. Its 16.3% lead in Geekbench single-core is a massive margin, indicating that Skylake's architectural improvements provide a substantial boost in per-core capability. For users running applications that are not well-threaded, or for those who prioritize low power consumption and reduced heat output, the 6700TE is clearly the better option. The 35 watt TDP makes it ideal for small form factor or fanless systems.

In summary, the 3770K wins on raw multi-threaded rendering power and has the flexibility of an unlocked multiplier. The 6700TE wins on architectural efficiency, single-core speed, and lower power draw. The Geekbench results suggest that the newer architecture has a significant per-core advantage, but the older chip's clock speed compensates in Cinebench. The percentile rankings for both are identical at 40, meaning they are in the same overall performance class, but their strengths are clearly skewed in opposite directions. Users should select based on whether their software favors many fast cores or fewer, more efficient ones.