Intel Core i7-6800K vs Intel Core i7-9850H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear, though not overwhelming, picture: the Intel Core i7-9850H wins every single recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i7-6800K. Out of eight benchmark comparisons, the mobile processor claims eight wins, while the desktop part takes none. The margins, however, vary significantly depending on the workload.

The most substantial victory for the i7-9850H comes in Geekbench single-core testing. Here, the mobile chip scores 1449 against the i7-6800K's 1237, a 17.1% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and speaks directly to the older Broadwell architecture's inability to match the newer Coffee Lake design in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks. The Geekbench multi-core test also favors the i7-9850H, with a score of 6087 versus 5688, a 7% lead. This shows that even when all cores are engaged, the newer architecture maintains a meaningful edge.

The Cinebench suite tells a story of closer competition. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-9850H scores 925 against the i7-6800K's 916, a mere 1% difference. The single-core R15 test is similarly tight, 130 versus 129, a 0.8% margin. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds: multi-core results show 3856 for the i7-9850H and 3819 for the i7-6800K, again a 1% gap, while single-core shows 544 versus 538, a 1.1% lead. The newest Cinebench R23 test follows the same trend, with the i7-9850H scoring 9182 to the i7-6800K's 9093 in multi-core (a 1% difference) and 1296 to 1283 in single-core (a 1% difference).

What the data suggests is that in heavily threaded, sustained rendering workloads, the two processors are nearly equivalent. The i7-9850H's wins in the Cinebench tests are statistically minor, floating around the 1% mark. The real separation occurs in Geekbench, where the i7-9850H demonstrates a clear architectural superiority, particularly in single-threaded performance.

Looking at the broader database context, both processors sit at the 51st percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers overall. The i7-9850H's average benchmark score is 2934, while the i7-6800K averages 2838. The nearest rivals for the i7-9850H include the Intel Core i5-9600KF with an average score of 2935, a 0% delta, and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 at 2921, a 0.5% delta. For the i7-6800K, the closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-10600 at 2837, also a 0% delta. This places both chips in similar company, though the i7-9850H sits slightly higher in the aggregate rankings.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is lopsided based on the recorded data. The Intel Core i7-9850H wins across all eight benchmark categories, meaning there is no test in the database where the i7-6800K comes out ahead. This does not mean the older chip is without merit; rather, it shows that the i7-9850H is the better performer in every measured scenario.

For single-threaded workloads, such as typical desktop responsiveness, legacy application performance, and lightly threaded games, the i7-9850H is the clear choice. Its 17.1% lead in Geekbench single-core is decisive. The i7-6800K's lower boost clock of 3.60 GHz, compared to the i7-9850H's 4.60 GHz, directly contributes to this gap. The newer chip can sustain higher frequencies on a single core, which is critical for these tasks.

In multi-threaded workloads, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and compilation, the i7-9850H still wins, but by a much smaller margin. The 1% deltas in the Cinebench multi-core tests suggest that the i7-6800K's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz, compared to the i7-9850H's 2.60 GHz, helps it stay competitive when all six cores are active. The i7-6800K compensates for its older architecture with a higher sustained all-core frequency, narrowing the gap.

The i7-6800K does have one significant advantage in a specific scenario: platform memory bandwidth. With a quad-channel memory bus and 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth, it offers nearly double the 42.7 GB/s of the i7-9850H's dual-channel setup. This could benefit memory-intensive workloads that are not represented in the benchmark suite, such as large database operations or scientific computing. The recorded benchmarks, however, do not reflect this advantage, as the i7-9850H wins all of them.

For a user choosing between these two, the i7-9850H is the better performer in every measured test. The i7-6800K's strengths lie outside the benchmark suite, in its higher memory bandwidth and unlocked multiplier for overclocking, which the mobile chip lacks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-9850H uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-HR codename, and belongs to the Core i7 (Coffee Lake-HR) generation. It is built on a 14 nm process node with a die size of 149 mm². The Intel Core i7-6800K, in contrast, uses the Broadwell architecture with the Broadwell-E codename, part of the Core i7 (Broadwell-E) generation. It is also built on a 14 nm process, but its die is significantly larger at 246 mm², and it contains 3,400 million transistors.

Both processors feature six cores and twelve threads, and both have identical L1 and L2 cache configurations: 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs, however. The i7-9850H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-6800K offers 15 MB of shared L3 cache. This 3 MB advantage for the i7-6800K provides a larger pool of fast memory for frequently accessed data, though the benchmark results show it does not overcome the architectural advantages of the newer chip.

The i7-9850H integrates Intel UHD Graphics 630, while the i7-6800K has no integrated graphics. This means the desktop chip requires a discrete GPU for any display output, whereas the mobile chip can drive displays on its own. The i7-6800K compensates with a wider PCIe implementation: Gen 3 with 28 lanes from the CPU, compared to the i7-9850H's Gen 3 connection without a specified lane count in the data.

The platforms also differ fundamentally. The i7-9850H uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which is soldered to the motherboard, typical for mobile designs. The i7-6800K uses the Intel Socket 2011-3, a desktop socket that allows for processor replacement and upgrade. The i7-6800K also has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the i7-9850H is locked.

The manufacturing process is identical at 14 nm for both, and both are produced by Intel. The i7-6800K's larger die and higher transistor count reflect its desktop-class design with more cache and a wider memory interface. The i7-9850H's smaller die is a result of its mobile focus, prioritizing power efficiency and size.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based on the recorded data.

The base clock speeds differ substantially. The i7-9850H has a base clock of 2.60 GHz, while the i7-6800K runs at 3.40 GHz. The boost clocks also differ, with the i7-9850H reaching 4.60 GHz and the i7-6800K topping out at 3.60 GHz. This gives the mobile chip a 1.0 GHz advantage in maximum boost frequency.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The i7-9850H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i7-6800K draws 140 watts. This reflects the mobile chip's focus on efficiency and the desktop chip's willingness to consume power for performance.

The sockets are different: Intel BGA 1440 for the i7-9850H and Intel Socket 2011-3 for the i7-6800K. The memory bus width differs as well, with the i7-9850H using dual-channel memory and the i7-6800K using quad-channel. This results in memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s for the mobile chip and 76.8 GB/s for the desktop chip.

Integrated graphics are present only on the i7-9850H, which features UHD Graphics 630. The i7-6800K has none. The PCIe implementation also differs, with the i7-6800K offering Gen 3 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-9850H is listed simply as Gen 3.

The market segments are distinct: the i7-9850H is a mobile processor, while the i7-6800K is a desktop processor. The release dates are also different, with the i7-9850H launching on 2019-04-22 and the i7-6800K on 2016-05-30. The i7-6800K has a launch MSRP of $434, while the i7-9850H has no recorded launch MSRP. The part numbers differ: SRFCN for the i7-9850H and SR2PD for the i7-6800K.

The transistor count is listed only for the i7-6800K at 3,400 million, while the i7-9850H has no recorded transistor count. The die size also differs, with the i7-9850H at 149 mm² and the i7-6800K at 246 mm². The L3 cache size is 12 MB for the i7-9850H and 15 MB for the i7-6800K.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850H. It scores 1449 in Geekbench single-core against the i7-6800K's 1237, a 17.1% advantage. It also leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 1296 versus 1283.

Q: Are the multi-core performance differences large?

A: No. The Cinebench multi-core tests show only a 1% difference in favor of the i7-9850H in R15, R20, and R23. The Geekbench multi-core test shows a larger 7% lead for the i7-9850H, with 6087 versus 5688.

Q: Does the i7-6800K have any specification advantage?

A: Yes. It has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 2.60 GHz, a larger L3 cache of 15 MB versus 12 MB, a quad-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth versus dual-channel 42.7 GB/s, a 140-watt TDP versus 45 watts, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. Only the i7-9850H has integrated graphics, featuring Intel UHD Graphics 630. The i7-6800K has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: How many cores and threads do both processors have?

A: Both have six cores and twelve threads. They also share identical L1 cache of 64 KB per core and L2 cache of 256 KB per core.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score in the database?

A: The i7-9850H has an average benchmark score of 2934, while the i7-6800K averages 2838. Both sit at the 51st percentile among all CPUs.