Intel Core i7-6700K vs Intel Core i7-7700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-6700K and Intel Core i7-7700 are both 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors built on Intel’s 14 nm process, but they represent two distinct generations of the same socket. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the older Skylake-based i7-6700K wins every single head-to-head comparison, taking all 19 benchmark tests against the Kaby Lake-based i7-7700. Despite being released later and featuring a newer architecture, the i7-7700 trails the i7-6700K across every workload category, from single-threaded tasks to heavily multithreaded rendering. This page breaks down exactly where each chip holds an advantage, why the architectural differences matter, and what the specific score gaps reveal about their real-world performance.

Where Each One Wins

The data does not offer a balanced split—the Intel Core i7-6700K is the outright winner in every benchmark category in the head-to-head comparison. It records a 3.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 3.8% edge in the single-core variant, while the gap widens to 8% in Geekbench multi-core and 8.3% in PassMark physics. There is no workload category where the i7-7700 takes the lead; its best result is a 1.5% deficit in PassMark extended instructions, which is the smallest margin of defeat across all 19 tests.

For users prioritizing raw CPU throughput, the i7-6700K is the clear pick. Its advantages are most pronounced in integer-heavy and physics-based workloads, where it posts a 7.1% lead in PassMark find prime numbers and an 8.3% lead in PassMark physics. The i7-7700’s only potential niche is as a lower-power alternative—it runs at a 65 W TDP versus the i7-6700K’s 91 W—but this efficiency comes at the cost of performance in every measured metric. In single-threaded tasks, the i7-6700K still wins by 2.4% in PassMark single-thread and 3.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core, so even light, latency-sensitive applications favor the older chip.

Architecture Differences

The core architectural split is Skylake versus Kaby Lake. Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process and share the same socket (Intel Socket 1151), but the i7-6700K is a Skylake part while the i7-7700 belongs to the Kaby Lake generation. The most consequential difference in the data is clock speed: the i7-6700K has a 4.00 GHz base clock and a 4.20 GHz boost clock, while the i7-7700 sits at 3.60 GHz base with the same 4.20 GHz boost. This 400 MHz base-clock advantage is the primary driver behind the i7-6700K’s consistent lead in all benchmarks.

Cache configurations are identical: both chips feature 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs, with the i7-6700K accepting both DDR3 and DDR4 (depending on motherboard) while the i7-7700 supports DDR4 only; the i7-7700’s memory bandwidth is higher at 38.4 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s for the i7-6700K. Integrated graphics also differ: the i7-6700K has HD Graphics 530, while the i7-7700 ships with HD 630. The i7-6700K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, whereas the i7-7700 is locked. The i7-6700K is end-of-life production status, while the i7-7700 remains active. Die size is reported only for the i7-6700K at 122 mm²; the i7-7700’s die size is not listed in the data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the i7-6700K comes in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 5011 against the i7-7700’s 4640—an 8% difference. This is the largest percentage gap in any benchmark, and it reflects the combined effect of the higher base clock and architectural tuning. PassMark physics shows a similar 8.3% swing, with scores of 637 versus 588. These two tests are the outliers; most other margins fall between 1.5% and 3.8%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-6700K scores 765 versus 740, a 3.4% lead. The single-core result is 108 versus 104, a 3.8% margin that underscores the clock-speed advantage even in lightly threaded workloads. Cinebench R20 and R23 follow the same pattern: multi-core scores of 3189 vs 3084 and 7594 vs 7344, respectively, both at a 3.4% delta. Single-core in R23 is 1072 vs 1036, a 3.5% gap.

PassMark results are uniformly in favor of the i7-6700K, with the smallest margin in extended instructions (8248 vs 8128, 1.5%) and random string sorting (15788 vs 15509, 1.8%). Data compression shows a 2.6% lead (125659 vs 122429), while integer math is 2.2% ahead (28144 vs 27538). Floating-point math scores 17375 vs 16904, a 2.8% edge. Data encryption is 3067 vs 2974, a 3.1% gap. Multithreaded performance is 8927 vs 8635, a 3.4% lead, and single-thread performance is 2500 vs 2442, a 2.4% margin. The find-prime-numbers test shows a 7.1% gap (30 vs 28), the second-largest percentage win for the i7-6700K.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700K has a 4.00 GHz base clock, while the Intel Core i7-7700 has a 3.60 GHz base clock. Both share the same 4.20 GHz boost clock.

Q: Are both CPUs compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: Yes, both processors use Intel Socket 1151. However, the i7-6700K supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory depending on the motherboard, while the i7-7700 supports DDR4 only.

Q: How big is the performance gap in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-6700K scores 7594 versus the i7-7700’s 7344, a 3.4% lead. The same 3.4% margin appears in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Does the i7-7700 win any benchmark in the comparison?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the i7-6700K winning all 19 benchmark tests, with the i7-7700 recording zero wins.

Q: Which chip has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The i7-7700 has a higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s, compared to 34.1 GB/s for the i7-6700K. This does not translate into a benchmark win for the i7-7700 in any listed test.

Q: Is the i7-6700K overclockable?

A: Yes, the i7-6700K has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-7700 is locked and does not offer the same overclocking capability.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-6700K | Intel Core i7-7700 |

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

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 91 W | 65 W |

| Architecture | Skylake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Skylake | Kaby Lake |

| Generation | Core i7 (Skylake) | Core i7 (Kaby Lake) |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | Not specified |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 (depends on motherboard) | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics 530 | HD 630 |

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

| Release Date | 2015-08-04 | 2017-01-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $339 | Not specified |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR2L0SR2BR | SR338 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 12237 | 11914 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 67 | 67 |

The specification table shows that the i7-6700K’s performance advantage is rooted in its higher base clock and unlocked multiplier, while the i7-7700 fights back with a lower TDP, newer integrated graphics, and higher memory bandwidth. Neither chip deviates on core count (4), thread count (8), process node (14 nm), L3 cache (8 MB shared), PCIe lanes (Gen 3, 16 lanes), or ECC support (false for both). The average benchmark score difference is 323 points in favor of the i7-6700K (12237 vs 11914), yet both processors sit at the 67th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite the i7-6700K’s consistent head-to-head wins.