i7-12700F vs i7-6850K

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6850K
2016
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
7.21
Core i7-12700F
2022
12 cores / 20 threads, 65 Watt
19.32
+168%

Core i7-12700F outperforms Core i7-6850K by a whopping 168% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking985295
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.2736.35
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency4.8728.13
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)4 January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$475$386

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-12700F has 2762% better value for money than i7-6850K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads1220
Base clock speed3.6 GHz2.1 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.9 GHz
L1 cache32 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die sizeno data215 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data76.8 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4020

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-6850K 7.21
i7-12700F 19.32
+168%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-6850K 11460
i7-12700F 30696
+168%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-6850K 1286
i7-12700F 2397
+86.4%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-6850K 5822
i7-12700F 11778
+102%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 7.21 19.32
Recency 31 May 2016 4 January 2022
Physical cores 6 12
Threads 12 20
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 65 Watt

i7-12700F has a 168% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, 100% more physical cores and 66.7% more threads, and 115.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-12700F is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6850K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6850K and Core i7-12700F, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6850K
Core i7-6850K
Intel Core i7-12700F
Core i7-12700F

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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