i9-12900K vs i7-6900K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
Core i9-12900K
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
26.09
+186%

Core i9-12900K outperforms Core i7-6900K by a whopping 186% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking842191
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.0437.31
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i9
Power efficiency6.1619.75
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)4 November 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020$589

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900K has 3488% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads1624
Base clock speed3.2 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5.2 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 4.0
Bus rateno data8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplierno data32
L1 cache32 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm10 nm
Die sizeno data215.25 mm2"
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K 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 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K. 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++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K 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 i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data76.805 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.55 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K.

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.

i7-6900K 9.11
i9-12900K 26.09
+186%

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.

i7-6900K 14470
i9-12900K 41435
+186%

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.

i7-6900K 1286
i9-12900K 2647
+106%

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.

i7-6900K 7200
i9-12900K 15556
+116%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 26.09
Recency 31 May 2016 4 November 2021
Physical cores 8 16
Threads 16 24
Chip lithography 14 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 125 Watt

i9-12900K has a 186.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, 100% more physical cores and 50% more threads, a 40% more advanced lithography process, and 12% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6900K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Core i9-12900K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6900K
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Intel Core i9-12900K
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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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