Core i9-12900KF vs Core i7-6950X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	648	164
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	2.53	62.40
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7 (Desktop)	Intel Core i9
Architecture codename	Broadwell-E (2016)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date	31 May 2016 (8 years ago)	4 November 2021 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,723	$564
Current price	$687 (0.4x MSRP)	$405 (0.7x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900KF has 2366% better value for money than i7-6950X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF 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 cores	10 (Deca-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	20	24
Base clock speed	3 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	5.2 GHz
Bus support	9.6 GT/s / QPI	8 × 16 GT/s
L1 cache	32K (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	256K (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	25 MB (shared)	30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	246 mm2	215.25 mm220.5 mm × 10.5 mm
Maximum core temperature	67°	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	72 °C
Number of transistors	3,800 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA2011	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	no data	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	no data	+
Smart Response	+	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	+
Status	Discontinued	Launched

Security technologies

Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	no data
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	no data	76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF.

PCIe version	3.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	40	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

Core i9-12900KF outperforms Core i7-6950X by 136% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	11.26	26.59
Recency	31 May 2016	4 November 2021
Physical cores	10	16
Threads	20	24
Cost	$1723	$564
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	125 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6950X and Core i9-12900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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