Intel Core i7-6700T vs Intel Processor U300 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700T has a higher average benchmark score of 1918, compared to the Intel Processor U300's 1881. Both processors sit at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals differ by only 0.4% or less.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700T wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 5943, while the Intel Processor U300 scores 4905. This makes the i7-6700T 17.5% ahead in that specific test.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Processor U300 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which is significantly higher than the Intel Core i7-6700T's 3.60 GHz boost clock. The U300 also has a lower base clock of 1200 MHz compared to 2800 MHz on the i7-6700T.

Q: What is the difference in memory support between the two?

A: The Intel Processor U300 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core i7-6700T supports DDR3 and DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the i7-6700T has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the U300 has no bandwidth figure recorded.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Processor U300 has 5 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core i7-6700T has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the i7-6700T offers more threads due to its hyper-threading configuration.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two processors?

A: The Intel Processor U300 is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i7-6700T is listed as End-of-life. The U300 was released on 2023-01-03, while the i7-6700T was released on 2015-08-31.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Processor U300 is built on the Raptor Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-6700T uses the older Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process. This generational gap is significant: the U300 belongs to the "Intel Processor (Raptor Lake-U)" generation, whereas the i7-6700T is from the "Core i7 (Skylake)" generation. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process shrink from 14 nm to 10 nm gives the U300 a notable efficiency and transistor density advantage.

The core configurations differ meaningfully. The U300 packs 5 cores and 6 threads, while the i7-6700T has 4 cores and 8 threads. This means the older chip relies on hyper-threading to achieve higher thread counts, while the newer chip uses a hybrid core arrangement. The cache hierarchy also diverges: the U300 has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the i7-6700T has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache, but the per-core L2 difference is substantial, reflecting the architectural advancements in Raptor Lake.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The U300 features UHD Graphics 48EU, while the i7-6700T has HD Graphics 530. Memory support also sets them apart: the U300 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-6700T supports DDR3 and DDR4. The PCIe interface is another differentiator: the U300 offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7-6700T provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The sockets are incompatible: the U300 uses Intel BGA 1744, while the i7-6700T uses Intel Socket 1151. The U300 is a mobile segment part with a 15 W TDP, while the i7-6700T is a desktop part with a 35 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a split personality between these two processors, with the U300 dominating single-threaded workloads and the i7-6700T taking the multi-core crown in one test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the U300 scores 781 against the i7-6700T's 599, a 30.4% advantage. This is a decisive win for the newer chip in an older benchmark that favors its higher boost clock and newer architecture.

The single-core results are even more lopsided. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the U300 scores 222 versus the i7-6700T's 84, a staggering 164.3% difference. This massive gap reflects the boost clock disparity: the U300 reaches 4.40 GHz while the i7-6700T tops out at 3.60 GHz. The architectural improvements from Skylake to Raptor Lake amplify this clock advantage into a generational leap in single-thread performance.

However, the tables turn in the more modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Here, the i7-6700T scores 5943 against the U300's 4905, making the older chip 17.5% faster. This result likely stems from the i7-6700T's 8 threads versus the U300's 6 threads, allowing the older processor to better utilize multi-threaded workloads despite its older architecture. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the U300 reasserts dominance with a score of 1616 versus 839, a 92.6% advantage. This confirms that the U300's single-thread superiority is consistent across both R15 and R23 versions.

The win count in these head-to-head tests is 3 for the U300 and 1 for the i7-6700T. The U300's victories include both single-core tests and the R15 multi-core test, while the i7-6700T's only win is the R23 multi-core test. The average benchmark scores tell a nuanced story: the i7-6700T's overall average of 1918 slightly edges out the U300's 1881, but both sit at the same 43rd percentile among all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Processor U300 | Intel Core i7-6700T |

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

| Cores | 5 | 4 |

| Threads | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1200 MHz | 2800 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Skylake |

| 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 | 8 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR3, DDR4 |

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

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

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 48EU | HD Graphics 530 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2015-08-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $193 | $303 |

| Part Number | SRMLU | SR2BUSR2L3 |

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split: the Intel Processor U300 is the superior choice for single-threaded performance and efficiency, while the Intel Core i7-6700T retains an edge in specific multi-threaded workloads. The U300 wins 3 out of 4 head-to-head benchmarks, including a 164.3% crushing victory in Cinebench R15 single-core and a 92.6% win in Cinebench R23 single-core. Its 4.40 GHz boost clock and 10 nm Raptor Lake architecture deliver generational improvements that the older Skylake chip cannot match in single-thread scenarios.

However, the i7-6700T's 8 threads give it a 17.5% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a test that heavily rewards thread count. This is the only test where the older processor prevails, and it is a meaningful one for users running modern multi-threaded applications. The i7-6700T also has a higher average benchmark score of 1918 versus 1881, though both processors sit at the same 43rd percentile overall.

For mobile users, the U300's 15 W TDP versus the i7-6700T's 35 W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient. The U300 is also Active in production, while the i7-6700T is End-of-life. The U300's support for DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 4 provides future-proofing that the i7-6700T lacks. The i7-6700T's launch MSRP was $303, while the U300's launch MSRP was $193, but the data does not indicate current availability or pricing trends.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Processor U300:

• Single-threaded workloads: Wins both Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests by 164.3% and 92.6% respectively. This makes it the clear choice for tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and lightly threaded applications.
• Older multi-threaded benchmarks: Wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 30.4%, suggesting it handles legacy multi-threaded software well.
• Mobile and power-constrained environments: With a 15 W TDP versus the i7-6700T's 35 W TDP, the U300 is designed for laptops and compact devices where thermal and power budgets are tight.
• Modern memory and connectivity: Supports DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 4, offering bandwidth headroom for current and future components.
• Long-term availability: Listed as Active production, while the i7-6700T is End-of-life, making the U300 the safer choice for new system builds.

Intel Core i7-6700T:

• Modern multi-threaded benchmarks: Wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 17.5%, indicating it is the better performer for heavily threaded modern applications such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computing.
• Higher thread count: With 8 threads versus 6, the i7-6700T can handle more concurrent threads, which benefits workloads that scale well with thread count.
• Desktop integration: Uses Intel Socket 1151, a standard desktop socket, and offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, providing more expansion options for desktop builds.
• Higher memory bandwidth: Has a recorded 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the U300 has no bandwidth figure recorded, suggesting the i7-6700T may have an advantage in memory-intensive tasks.
• Lower base clock but higher sustained multi-core performance: The 2800 MHz base clock versus 1200 MHz on the U300 suggests the i7-6700T can maintain higher all-core frequencies under sustained load, which likely contributes to its R23 multi-core win.