Core i7-6900K vs Core i9-7900X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	487	747
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	8.27	5.45
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i9 (Desktop)	no data
Architecture codename	Skylake-X (2018)	Broadwell-E (2016)
Release date	30 May 2017 (6 years ago)	31 May 2016 (7 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$999	$1,020
Current price	$540 (0.5x MSRP)	$236 (0.2x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-7900X has 52% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K 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)	8 (Octa-Core)
Threads	20	16
Base clock speed	3.3 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	4 GHz
L1 cache	640 KB	32 KB (per core)
L2 cache	10 MB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	13.8 MB	20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	95 °C	67°
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K 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	Socket R4	FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	140 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512	no data
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	no data
Idle States	no data	+
Smart Response	no data	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	no data	+
EDB	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	no data
VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	no data	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR4
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	85 GB/s	no data
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

N/A

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K.

PCIe version	3.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	44	40

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 i9-7900X outperforms Core i7-6900K by 47% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	13.69	9.34
Recency	30 May 2017	31 May 2016
Physical cores	10	8
Threads	20	16
Cost	$999	$1020

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7900X and Core i7-6900K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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