i7-6850K vs i9-10980XE

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-10980XE
2019
18 cores / 36 threads, 165 Watt
21.42
+186%

Core i9-10980XE outperforms Core i7-6850K by a whopping 186% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking261979
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation11.521.31
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency11.844.88
Architecture codenameCascade Lake-X (2019)Broadwell-E (2016)
Release date19 October 2019 (5 years ago)31 May 2016 (8 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$979$475

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-10980XE has 779% better value for money than i7-6850K.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K 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 cores18 (Octadeca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads3612
Base clock speed3 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4.8 GHz4 GHz
Bus rate8 GT/s DMI3 MHzno data
L1 cache64K (per core)32 KB (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache24.75 MB (shared)15 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Maximum core temperature86 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K 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
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt140 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512no data
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Smart Responseno data+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
Deep Learning Boost+-

Security technologies

Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4
Maximum memory size256 GB128 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth94 GB/sno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4840

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.

i9-10980XE 21.42
+186%
i7-6850K 7.49

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.

i9-10980XE 32787
+186%
i7-6850K 11462

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.

i9-10980XE 1599
+24.2%
i7-6850K 1287

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.

i9-10980XE 12175
+109%
i7-6850K 5824

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 21.42 7.49
Recency 19 October 2019 31 May 2016
Physical cores 18 6
Threads 36 12
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 140 Watt

i9-10980XE has a 186% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, and 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads.

i7-6850K, on the other hand, has 17.9% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-10980XE is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6850K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-10980XE and Core i7-6850K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-10980XE
Core i9-10980XE
Intel Core i7-6850K
Core i7-6850K

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Community ratings

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