Intel Core i7-6800K

The Intel Core i7-6800K is a desktop processor from Intel’s Broadwell-E family, built on a 14 nm process with 3,400 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. It features six physical cores and twelve threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, a 140 W TDP, and an unlocked multiplier. It uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform, supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, and provides 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The processor has no integrated graphics and does not support ECC memory. It was released on May 30, 2016, with a launch MSRP of $434, and is now end-of-life. Its average benchmark score is 2843, placing it at the 54th percentile of all CPUs.

Benchmark Performance

The i7-6800K delivers a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 918 and a single-core score of 129. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3829 multi-core and 540 single-core. Cinebench R23 results show 9118 multi-core and 1287 single-core. Geekbench yields a multi-core score of 5688 and a single-core score of 1237. These numbers indicate a strong multi-threaded capability relative to its single-threaded performance, a pattern consistent with a six-core, twelve-thread design from the 2016 era.

Comparing the overall average benchmark score of 2843 to its nearest rivals, the differences are minimal. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U averages 2829, which is 0.5% lower. The Intel Xeon E-2126G averages 2825, 0.6% lower. On the other side, the Intel Xeon D-1577 averages 2863, meaning the i7-6800K is 0.7% lower than that part. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U averages 2865, with the i7-6800K trailing by 0.8%. All four rivals sit within a single percentage point of the i7-6800K, effectively a statistical tie in aggregate performance. The 54th percentile ranking further underscores that this processor sits near the middle of the performance distribution, not at the top.

When examining specific benchmark suites, the multi-core scores are particularly telling. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 9118 is roughly seven times the single-core score of 1287, though the exact ratio is not a listed figure. The Geekbench multi-core score of 5688 versus the single-core score of 1237 shows a similar pattern. This large gap between single- and multi-threaded results suggests that the processor scales well across its six cores and twelve threads, making it suited for workloads that can exploit parallel execution. However, the single-core scores themselves are modest by modern standards, though no direct comparison to newer parts is available in the data.

Who Should Consider It

The i7-6800K is best suited for users whose workloads are heavily multi-threaded. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 9118 indicates strong performance in rendering and other tasks that use many threads simultaneously. Similarly, the Geekbench multi-core score of 5688 points to solid general-purpose productivity in multi-threaded applications. The quad-channel DDR4 memory support, with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, further benefits memory-intensive workloads such as video editing, scientific simulations, or large database operations. The processor also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing users to adjust clock speeds beyond the stock 3.40 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost, though no overclocking results are provided.

Conversely, the single-core scores are lower than what one might expect from newer architectures. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1287 and Geekbench single-core score of 1237 suggest that lightly threaded tasks—such as basic office work, web browsing, or older games that rely on one or two cores—will not see exceptional performance. Users who prioritize single-thread speed over core count would likely be better served by a different processor, though no specific alternatives are listed in the data. The lack of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory, which is typical for this platform segment.

Given its end-of-life status and 2016 release, the i7-6800K is not a current-generation part. It appeals primarily to those already invested in the Socket 2011-3 platform, or to users acquiring a used or discounted system. The performance is adequate for many threaded applications, but it is not competitive with modern high-core-count parts in absolute terms, as indicated by its 54th percentile ranking.

How It Compares

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U: The i7-6800K’s average benchmark score of 2843 is 0.5% higher than the Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U’s 2829. This is a negligible difference, placing the two processors at essentially the same performance level. The Ryzen part is a mobile processor, but the data shows no meaningful gap in aggregate scores.

Intel Xeon E-2126G: The Xeon E-2126G averages 2825, which is 0.6% lower than the i7-6800K. Again, the delta is within a rounding error. The Xeon E-2126G is a server-oriented part, yet its average performance is statistically indistinguishable from the i7-6800K.

Intel Xeon D-1577: The Xeon D-1577 averages 2863, placing the i7-6800K 0.7% behind. This is the first rival that edges out the i7-6800K, but the margin remains below one percent. The Xeon D-1577 is a system-on-chip design, but the benchmark data shows no significant performance difference.

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U: The Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U averages 2865, with the i7-6800K trailing by 0.8%. This is the largest delta among the nearest rivals, yet still under one percent. The two processors are effectively tied in aggregate performance, despite coming from different market segments and release eras.

In all four comparisons, the i7-6800K sits within a narrow band of its nearest competitors. The largest difference is 0.8%, which is within typical benchmark variance. This suggests that the i7-6800K’s performance is well characterized by its average score of 2843, and that any of these rivals would offer similar overall throughput in mixed workloads.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i7-6800K use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 2011-3.

Q: Does the i7-6800K support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What type of memory does it support and how many channels?

A: It supports DDR4 memory in a quad-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: It provides 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, available from the CPU only.

Q: Does the processor have integrated graphics?

A: No, integrated graphics are not included.

Q: What is the process node and transistor count?

A: The process node is 14 nm, and the processor contains 3,400 million transistors.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-6800K is designed for the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform, which supports quad-channel DDR4 memory. The memory bus operates at a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, and the processor does not support ECC memory. It provides 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, which can be used for discrete GPUs, NVMe storage, or other expansion cards. The processor has an unlocked multiplier, enabling frequency adjustments by the user.

The production status is end-of-life, meaning Intel no longer manufactures this part. Consequently, the Socket 2011-3 platform is not receiving new processors, and upgrade paths are limited to other existing parts on the same socket—though no specific upgrade options are listed in the data. The platform itself is mature, with support for DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3. The lack of integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU, which is standard for this class of desktop processor. The 140 W TDP indicates a need for adequate cooling, though no cooler specifications are provided.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The i7-6800K exhibits a pronounced difference between single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 9118 dwarfs the single-core score of 1287. Similarly, Cinebench R20 shows 3829 multi-core versus 540 single-core, and Cinebench R15 shows 918 multi-core versus 129 single-core. Geekbench reports 5688 multi-core and 1237 single-core. Across all benchmarks, the multi-core scores are several times higher than the single-core scores, demonstrating effective scaling across the six cores and twelve threads.

This behavior indicates that the processor is well optimized for parallel workloads. Applications that can utilize multiple threads—such as 3D rendering, video encoding, or scientific computation—will see substantial benefits from the multi-core capability. In contrast, single-threaded tasks, including many legacy applications or lightly threaded games, will be limited by the lower single-core scores. The single-core scores are not particularly high, even when compared to the processor’s own multi-core results, suggesting that the architecture prioritizes throughput over latency in single-thread execution.

For users who primarily run single-threaded software, the i7-6800K may not be the ideal choice, as its single-core performance is modest. However, for workloads that can exploit twelve threads, the processor offers strong multi-threaded performance relative to its average benchmark score. The data does not provide direct comparisons to newer or higher-clocked parts, but the gap between single- and multi-core results is a defining characteristic of this processor.