Intel Core i7-6700

The Intel Core i7-6700 is a desktop processor built on the Skylake architecture, utilizing a 14 nm process node from Intel. It features four physical cores and eight threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. This end-of-life part, released in mid-2015, occupies a peculiar position in the modern benchmark landscape: its average benchmark score of 12057 places it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, yet its nearest rivals are predominantly server and enterprise parts. The data indicates a processor that, while no longer competitive at the top end, retains a surprising level of relevance against much newer silicon in specific workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i7-6700 delivers a balanced scorecard across both synthetic and application-based tests. In Cinebench R23, it achieves a multi-core score of 6843 and a single-core score of 966. The multi-core result is modest by modern standards, reflecting the four-core, eight-thread configuration. The single-core score, however, is comparatively robust, suggesting that the Skylake architecture’s per-thread efficiency remains serviceable for lightly threaded tasks. In the older Cinebench R15 suite, the processor scores 689 in multi-core and 97 in single-core, while in Cinebench R20 it posts 2874 multi-core and 405 single-core. These results show a consistent scaling pattern across generations of the Cinebench benchmark, with the chip’s relative standing improving as the workload becomes more dependent on single-thread performance.

PassMark results further illustrate the processor’s character. The multi-thread score of 8051 and single-thread score of 2277 align with the Cinebench data, reinforcing the picture of a CPU that is adequate in parallel tasks but stronger when fewer threads are involved. More specialized PassMark subtests reveal specific strengths: integer math scores 25651, floating-point math scores 15840, and extended instructions score 7505. The data compression score is 113748, which is notably high, while data encryption scores 2753 and find prime numbers scores just 27. Random string sorting posts 14406, and physics scores 558. These figures suggest that the chip handles compression and sorting algorithms reasonably well, but struggles with prime-number generation, a workload that often benefits from newer instruction sets and higher memory bandwidth.

The average benchmark score of 12057 puts the i7-6700 in the 71st percentile overall, a respectable showing for a processor from the DDR3/DDR4 transition era. Its nearest rival in the data is the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U, which averages 12026, a delta of just 0.3%. The Intel Xeon Bronze 3408U scores 12019, also 0.3% behind. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X averages 11985, trailing by 0.6%, and the AMD EPYC 7453 averages 11912, behind by 1.2%. These deltas are remarkably small, often within run-to-run variance, meaning the i7-6700 statistically trades blows with these newer, higher-core-count parts in aggregate benchmark terms. The practical interpretation is that for the specific mix of tests in the average score, the aging quad-core holds its own against chips with vastly different architectures and core counts.

Who Should Consider It

Given its benchmark profile, the i7-6700 is best suited for workloads that favor single-core performance and moderate multi-threading. The single-core Cinebench R23 score of 966 is competitive with many entry-level modern processors, making this chip a viable option for legacy office productivity, web browsing, and light spreadsheet work where single-thread latency matters more than raw core count. The PassMark single-thread score of 2277 reinforces this, indicating that everyday desktop responsiveness will not feel unduly sluggish.

For gaming, the processor is a borderline candidate. Many contemporary game titles still rely heavily on single-thread performance, and the i7-6700’s strong single-core showing in Cinebench and PassMark suggests it can handle older or less demanding games adequately. However, the four-core, eight-thread configuration and modest multi-core scores (6843 in Cinebench R23) will likely bottleneck in modern AAA titles that scale across more than eight threads. The data does not show gaming-specific benchmarks, so recommendations must be inferred from the general compute scores. The processor’s 71st percentile overall placement implies it sits above the median CPU, but far from the top tier.

Content creation is a mixed bag. The PassMark data compression score of 113748 is strong, indicating that file archiving and compression workloads will perform respectably. Similarly, integer math at 25651 and floating-point math at 15840 suggest that basic photo editing and light video encoding are within reach. However, the low find-prime-numbers score of 27 and the modest multi-core Cinebench results indicate that heavy 3D rendering, complex simulation, or extensive video transcoding will be slow. This is not a processor for professional-grade creation workloads; it is better suited to hobbyist-level editing or as a secondary machine for lighter tasks.

Platform and Compatibility

The Core i7-6700 uses the Intel Socket 1151 interface, a platform that supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory. The dual-channel memory bus provides a theoretical memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, which is modest but adequate for the era. ECC memory is not supported, limiting its appeal in server or workstation environments where error correction is critical. The processor provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, which is sufficient for a single discrete graphics card or a couple of NVMe drives, though expansion options are constrained compared to newer platforms with more lanes.

The integrated graphics are HD Graphics 530, which can drive displays without a discrete GPU, making the chip usable in basic office or home-theater builds. The processor’s production status is end-of-life, and it was released in mid-2015, so new motherboard availability is limited to old stock or the used market. The socket 1151 platform does not offer a forward upgrade path to newer architectures, as subsequent generations moved to different sockets or required different chipsets. The memory support for both DDR3 and DDR4 is a notable flexibility, allowing builders to reuse existing DDR3 memory from older systems, though DDR4 will offer better performance in most cases. The lack of an unlocked multiplier (it is locked) means overclocking is not officially supported, so performance is fixed at the stated clocks.

How It Compares

Against the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U, the i7-6700 posts an average score 0.3% higher (12057 vs 12026). This is a statistical tie, but the comparison is starkly different in nature: the Xeon Gold is a server part with vastly more cores and threads, yet its aggregate benchmark average is nearly identical. This suggests that the i7-6700’s higher single-thread efficiency compensates for its low core count in the average of these specific tests. For workloads that scale poorly across cores, the older consumer chip may even outperform the server Xeon.

The Intel Xeon Bronze 3408U is similarly close, with a delta of just 0.3% (12019 vs 12057). The Bronze series is an entry-level server offering, and the fact that the i7-6700 edges it out in average score indicates that the consumer chip’s per-core performance is superior in the tested workloads. However, the Xeon Bronze likely offers better memory capacity and ECC support, which are not captured in these benchmark averages.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X trails by 0.6% (11985 vs 12057). This is a more relevant comparison for desktop users, as the Ryzen 5 is a contemporary consumer part. The Ryzen 5 3500X has six cores and no SMT, yet it still scores slightly lower on average. This likely reflects the i7-6700’s superior single-thread performance, which helps in the single-core tests that are part of the average. The Ryzen chip may win in heavily multi-threaded scenarios, but the aggregate data shows the older Intel part holding a narrow edge.

The AMD EPYC 7453 is 1.2% behind (11912 vs 12057). The EPYC is a high-core-count server processor, so this result is counterintuitive at first glance. The explanation lies in the benchmark mix: the average score includes single-thread tests where the i7-6700 excels, while the EPYC’s massive core count does not help in those tests. For server-style workloads that use all cores, the EPYC would dominate, but the data as presented shows the i7-6700 ahead by a small margin.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Core i7-6700 has a TDP of 65 watts, classifying it as a mainstream, power-efficient part. This is a low thermal requirement for a quad-core desktop processor, meaning that a capable air cooler, such as a stock cooler or a modest aftermarket tower, is sufficient for normal operation. The 65-watt TDP also implies that the chip generates limited heat, which is beneficial for small-form-factor builds or systems with constrained airflow. The low power draw, combined with the 14 nm process node, means that thermals are unlikely to be a limiting factor for performance in most scenarios. The boost clock of 4.00 GHz can be sustained without requiring exotic cooling solutions, and the locked multiplier prevents users from pushing voltages higher, keeping thermal output predictable. For a benchmark database perspective, the 65-watt TDP places the i7-6700 in the same class as many modern mid-range processors, making it an easy chip to cool and integrate into a variety of system designs.