Intel · Core

Core i7-6900K

Released May 2016

An unlocked 8-core Broadwell-E desktop processor with Hyper-Threading and four-channel DDR4 memory for LGA2011-v3 enthusiast systems.

Model history · 4 models, 2012–2016

Cores: 8/16
Boost: 4 GHz
L3: 20 MB
Power: 140 W
Socket: LGA2011-v3

Unlocked

What reviewers say

Reviews found strong performance in heavily threaded work, but only small gains over the 5960X and poor value for gaming. PC Gamer’s sample overclocked well; Tom’s Hardware reached a lower ceiling and emphasised sharply rising power and cooling demands. Both struggled to justify it between cheaper six-core options and the ten-core flagship.

From pcgamer.com and tomshardware.com

Specifications

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Cores and clocks

Cores: 8
Threads: 16
Base clock: 3.2 GHz
Boost clock: 4 GHz
L3 cache: 20 MB
Cores: Broadwell-E; 8 cores with Hyper-Threading. The unlocked multiplier is confirmed by the exact-model reviews.
Clocks: Turbo Boost Max 3.0 up to 4.00 GHz on the preferred core; ordinary Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.70 GHz. The main boost field uses Intel’s highest published frequency. May availability follows Tom’s Hardware’s 31 May 2016 report, attributing immediate sale of all four models to Intel. Intel’s family record is dated 30 May and ARK gives Q2 2016; the announcement day is not treated as an exact first-sale day.

Graphics and AI

Built-in graphics: No
Graphics: No processor graphics, confirmed by Intel’s exact-model comparison-chart row; a separate graphics solution is required.

Platform

Socket: LGA2011-v3
Base power: 140 W
Unlocked: Yes
Cooler in the box: No
Memory support: Up to 128 GB; four channels of DDR4-2133/2400; no ECC.
PCIe: 40 CPU lanes; PCIe 3.0
Chipsets: X99 and LGA2011-v3, distinguished by Intel’s exact-model comparison chart and the reviews. Current ARK abbreviates the socket as FCLGA2011; this is not compatible with the older X79 LGA2011 platform.
Process: 14 nm; Broadwell-E.
Cooler: Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product; a separate compatible cooler is required.

Pros and cons

Pros

8 cores and 16 threads
Four-channel memory controller
40 PCIe lanes

Cons

No integrated graphics
No boxed cooler
Requires a LGA2011-v3 motherboard

Closest rivals

Model	Cores	Boost	L3	Power	Socket	Released
AMDRyzen Threadripper 1900X	8/16	4 GHz	16 MB	180 W	sTR4	Aug 2017
IntelCore i7-7820X	8/16	4.5 GHz	11 MB	140 W	LGA2066	Jun 2017
AMDRyzen 7 1700X	8/16	3.8 GHz	16 MB	95 W	AM4	Mar 2017

Previous model: Core i7-5960X. Newer model: Core i7-7820X.

Sources

Photo: PC Gamer exact Core i7-6900K retail review photograph; i7-6900K and SR2PB engraving visible, original white background retained.

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