Intel Core i7-6850K vs Intel Core i7-8700B Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8700B and Intel Core i7-6850K are both six-core, twelve-thread desktop processors, but they target very different platform philosophies. The 8700B is a Coffee Lake part on a compact BGA package, while the 6850K is a Broadwell-E flagship on the high-end LGA 2011-3 platform. Benchmark data shows a surprisingly clear split: the 8700B dominates in rendering workloads, while the 6850K posts a notable win in one specific multi-core test. Here is how the numbers break down.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory belongs to the Intel Core i7-8700B in Geekbench single-core testing. It scores 1443 against the 6850K's 1217, a substantial 18.6% lead. This is the largest gap in any benchmark between the two chips and reflects the 8700B's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus the 6850K's 3.80 GHz. This advantage is consistent across all Cinebench single-core tests, where the 8700B wins by a narrow but steady margin: 141 vs 137 in R15 (2.9% ahead), 591 vs 573 in R20 (3.1% ahead), and 1408 vs 1365 in R23 (3.2% ahead). For any single-threaded workload, the data is unambiguous — the 8700B is the faster processor.

Multi-core performance is more nuanced. In Cinebench tests, the 8700B wins every round, but the margin is a consistent 3.2% rather than a blowout. In R15, it scores 1005 versus 974; in R20, 4190 versus 4062; and in R23, 9977 versus 9672. The 8700B's higher boost clock and newer architecture appear to offset the 6850K's larger 15 MB shared L3 cache and quad-channel memory bandwidth in these rendering workloads. The picture flips entirely in Geekbench multi-core, however, where the 6850K wins decisively: 6629 versus 5936, a 10.5% advantage for the older chip. This is the only test of the eight head-to-head benchmarks where the 6850K comes out on top, but it is a significant margin that suggests the 6850K has a bandwidth advantage in certain memory-sensitive multi-threaded scenarios.

Overall, the scoreboard favors the 8700B with 7 wins out of 8 head-to-head tests. The average benchmark score for the 8700B is 3086, while the 6850K sits at 3079, a mere 0.2% difference. Both processors land at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are essentially equal in overall statistical standing. The nearest rivals for the 8700B include the Intel Xeon W-2133 (avg score 3087, 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 (avg score 3082, 0.1% delta), while the 6850K's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X (avg score 3068, 0.3% delta). These figures place both chips in the same performance tier, despite their very different architectural approaches.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i7-8700B is the better all-around performer for most users. It wins the majority of benchmarks, delivers a 18.6% single-core advantage, and does so while consuming far less power — its 65 W TDP is less than half of the 6850K's 140 W. The 8700B also includes integrated graphics, which the 6850K lacks entirely. If you are building a system for typical desktop use, content creation, or gaming where single-core performance matters, the 8700B is the clear choice based on these results.

The Intel Core i7-6850K is not without merit, however. Its 10.5% win in Geekbench multi-core suggests it handles certain multi-threaded workloads better, likely due to its quad-channel memory bus and 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth — nearly double the 8700B's 42.7 GB/s. It also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus the 8700B's 16. If your workload is heavily dependent on memory bandwidth and you plan to overclock, the 6850K could be the stronger option. The 6850K also has a larger 15 MB L3 cache versus 12 MB on the 8700B.

For most builders, the 8700B is the practical pick. It wins more tests, has a much lower TDP, and offers integrated graphics as a fallback. The 6850K is a niche choice for those who specifically need quad-channel memory bandwidth and overclocking headroom, and who are willing to accept lower single-core scores and a much higher power draw.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B wins every single-core benchmark. It scores 141 vs 137 in Cinebench R15 (2.9% ahead), 591 vs 573 in R20 (3.1% ahead), 1408 vs 1365 in R23 (3.2% ahead), and 1443 vs 1217 in Geekbench (18.6% ahead).

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-6850K better at any multi-core task?

A: Yes. In Geekbench multi-core, the 6850K scores 6629 versus the 8700B's 5936, a 10.5% advantage. However, the 8700B wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) by 3.2% each.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The 8700B has an average benchmark score of 3086, while the 6850K scores 3079. This is a 0.2% difference, placing them at the same 52nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Does the 6850K support overclocking?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-6850K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i7-8700B does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-8700B has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630). The Intel Core i7-6850K has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 8700B has a TDP of 65 W, while the 6850K has a TDP of 140 W. The 8700B consumes less than half the power of the 6850K.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in platform features. The Intel Core i7-8700B uses an Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the Intel Core i7-6850K uses an Intel Socket 2011-3. The 8700B has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, whereas the 6850K has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The 6850K has a much higher TDP of 140 W compared to the 8700B's 65 W. Memory support differs as well: the 8700B supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the 6850K supports quad-channel DDR4 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe lane count also differs, with the 8700B offering 16 Gen 3 lanes and the 6850K offering 40 Gen 3 lanes. The 8700B includes UHD Graphics 630, while the 6850K has no integrated graphics. The 6850K has an unlocked multiplier; the 8700B does not. The 8700B was released on April 2, 2018, with a launch MSRP of $303, while the 6850K was released on May 30, 2016, with a launch MSRP of $617.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process, but they belong to different microarchitectures. The Intel Core i7-8700B is based on Coffee Lake, while the Intel Core i7-6850K is based on Broadwell-E. The 6850K has a larger die size of 246 mm² and contains 3,400 million transistors, whereas the 8700B has a die size of 154 mm² and its transistor count is not listed. Cache configurations differ: both have 64 KB L1 cache and 256 KB L2 cache per core, but the 8700B has 12 MB shared L3 cache while the 6850K has 15 MB shared L3 cache. The 6850K's quad-channel memory controller with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth is a major architectural advantage over the 8700B's dual-channel 42.7 GB/s. The 8700B integrates UHD Graphics 630, a feature absent on the 6850K. Both processors are end-of-life, but the 8700B is from the Core i7 (Coffee Lake) generation, while the 6850K is from the Core i7 (Broadwell-E) generation.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8700B is the winner for general desktop use, single-threaded applications, and most rendering tasks. It wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) by 3.2%, all four single-core tests, and offers integrated graphics for systems without a discrete GPU. Its 65 W TDP makes it far easier to cool and power, and its 4.60 GHz boost clock provides the single-core speed that modern applications favor. The 8700B is the better choice for a compact or low-power build, especially on the BGA 1440 platform.

The Intel Core i7-6850K wins in Geekbench multi-core by 10.5%, indicating an advantage in memory-bandwidth-sensitive multi-threaded workloads. Its quad-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it suited for heavy data throughput tasks, such as large-scale virtualization or content creation with massive datasets. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking to potentially close the single-core gap, though the data shows it starts behind. The 6850K is the pick for builders who need the high-end desktop platform's I/O and memory capabilities and are willing to accept higher power consumption and no integrated graphics.