Intel Core i5-2500K vs Intel Core i7-6700K

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Core i5-2500K compared with Core i7-6700K

	IntelCore i5-2500K	IntelCore i7-6700K
Overview
Released
Released	January 2011	August 2015
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	4	4
Threads
Threads	4	8 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	3.3 GHz	4 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.7 GHz	4.2 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	6 MB	8 MB (better)
Cores
Cores	Four cores without Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 and VT-x supported; VT-d not supported.	Four cores with Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 supported.
Clocks
Clocks	Maximum turbo is a single-core frequency. The multiplier is unlocked, but motherboard support and cooling determine available overclocking; the original H67 platform does not support CPU multiplier overclocking.	Maximum turbo is a single-core frequency; overclocking requires an appropriate motherboard and cooling. Intel publishes TDP without a separate maximum turbo-power figure.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	Yes	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 3000; 850 MHz base, up to 1.10 GHz; two displays; Quick Sync Video. Available display outputs and access to integrated graphics depend on the motherboard.	Intel HD Graphics 530; 350 MHz base, up to 1.15 GHz; three displays; Quick Sync Video. DisplayPort and eDP up to 4096×2304 at 60 Hz; HDMI up to 4096×2304 at 24 Hz.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
Base power
Base power	95 W	91 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	–	No
Memory support
Memory support	Up to 32 GB; two channels; DDR3-1066/1333; 21 GB/s maximum bandwidth as published by Intel; ECC not supported.	Up to 64 GB; two channels; DDR4-1866/2133 or DDR3L-1333/1600 at 1.35 V; 34.1 GB/s maximum bandwidth; ECC not supported.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 2.0; up to 16 CPU lanes. Motherboard support determines available slot configurations.	PCIe 3.0; 16 CPU lanes, configured as 1×16, 2×8 or 1×8+2×4. PC Gamer describes the Z170 platform's faster DMI 3.0 chipset link and expanded storage connectivity.
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 72.6°C Tcase limit, not a junction-temperature limit.	14 nm; Skylake; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; Intel lists a 64°C Tcase limit, which is a case-temperature specification rather than a junction-temperature limit.
Cooler
Cooler	LGA1155-compatible cooling required. Intel's 5 January 2011 announcement gives 9 January availability for quad-core systems; APH Networks' contemporaneous exact-model review also identifies 9 January as the processor's release date.	Boxed processor includes no fan or heatsink. Requires a compatible Intel 100-series motherboard; the launch notice names the Z170 chipset for unlocked processors.