Intel · Core

Core i7-6950X

Released May 2016

An unlocked 10-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: 10/20
Boost: 4 GHz
L3: 25 MB
Power: 140 W
Socket: LGA2011-v3

Unlocked

What reviewers say

Reviews praised its ten-core performance for demanding rendering, encoding and other parallel work, but found its exceptional price difficult to justify for gaming or most Haswell-E owners. Overclocking improved productivity further, with steep power and cooling demands. Both saw its clearest value where faster paid work could recover the cost.

From pcgamer.com and tomshardware.com

Specifications

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Cores and clocks

Cores: 10
Threads: 20
Base clock: 3 GHz
Boost clock: 4 GHz
L3 cache: 25 MB
Cores: Broadwell-E; 10 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 3.50 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

10 cores and 20 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
IntelCore i9-7900X	10/20	4.5 GHz	13.75 MB	140 W	LGA2066	Jun 2017
IntelCore i7-6900K	8/16	4 GHz	20 MB	140 W	LGA2011-v3	May 2016
AMDRyzen Threadripper 1920X	12/24	4 GHz	32 MB	180 W	sTR4	Aug 2017

Previous model: Core i7-5960X. Newer model: Core i9-7900X.

Sources

Photo: PC Gamer exact Core i7-6950X review’s generic unlocked Core i7 retail-box artwork; no specific model label is visible, original white background and shadow retained.

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