Is Intel i7 6700k still good? CPU Revisit (2023)
Introduction:
6 years ago, Intel officially released its 6th generation. Soon after that, in September 2015. Intel i7 6700k was finally launched.
Although the Intel i7 6700k is 6 years old, from 2015 to 2023 we are noticing that as time passes Single-core performance boost is lower and lower.
| CPU | SINGLE CORE BOOST - GAIN PER YEAR (%) | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| Pentium 4 2.8 HT | / | 2003 |
| Intel Core QX9650 | 32 % | 2007 |
| Intel Core I7 6700K | 16 % | 2015 |
| Intel Core I9 9900KS | 5 % | 2019 |
| Intel Core I9 10900X | 2 % | 2019 |
| Ryzen 9 3900X | 2 % | 2019 |
| Ryzen 9 3960X | 2 % | 2019 |
As single-core performance improves less with any new generation, the only way to increase CPU speed is by increasing the number of cores.
With 4 cores and 8 threads, the Intel i7 6700k is still a relevant processor for gaming, editing, and multitasking, but be aware that it has limits.
Let’s dive into the topic
Intel i7 6700k - Specifications
# of Cores
4 cores
# of Threads
8 threads
Cache
8 MB
Base Frequency
4.0 GHz
Turbo Frequency
4.2 GHz
TDP
91W
Lithography
14 nm
Bus Speed
8 GTs
Release Date
Q3’15
Best i7 6700k Offer at the moment
I7 6700k limits to be aware of in 2023
While this processor is still great in 2023 for most users, you should know its limits.
Although Intel i7 6700k is a processor that will do just fine when paired with a decent GPU in most cases, it will have trouble running games and streaming at the same time. That’s happening when running games that mostly rely on many cores, or if you do a lot of heavy multitasking at the same time
Is Intel i7 6700k still good for gaming?
Intel i7 6700k is an excellent processor for gaming. It can run most of the new games easily in 4k 60fps and 1080p/1440p in 144 fps when paired with a good GPU. If you want to get the most out of this CPU, you should overclock it.
I tested this processor with Rtx 2070 Super on base and overclocked frequency and I have results. Find them below!
The best GPU for i7 6700k
if you want to get the most out of the Intel i7 6700k, you need to pair it with a decent GPU. I will suggest 2 great graphics cards, and you need to decide which one is best for your budget and your needs.
Best mid-range Graphics card for i7 6700k - 1080p/144fps
The best mid-range graphics card for intel i7 6700k is Gtx 1660ti 6GB. This GPU-CPU combo will give you a great 1440p fps in the most popular games. While you can play in 4k as well, it is recommended to have a stronger GPU for the best experience.
Best high-end Graphics card for i7 6700k - 1440p/144fps
The best high-end graphics card for intel i7 6700k is Rtx 2070 Super 8GB. With this graphics card and processor together you can expect to play any game in 4k at 60 fps, but you will need to lower your graphics settings a little bit to achieve the best performance.
Best processor to upgrade from i7 6700k
If you want to upgrade soon and you don’t know which CPU you should get, I got you!
Best Intel processor to upgrade from i7 6700k
The best Intel Processor that you should consider upgrading to is the Intel Core i5-11400. This CPU will give you a great performance boost considering it has 6 cores and 12 threads. Have in mind that you need to upgrade your motherboard as well.
Best Ryzen processor to upgrade from i7 6700k
The best Ryzen processor that you should upgrade to after i7 6700k is AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it will give you a great performance boost in any aspect. Keep in mind that you will need to upgrade your motherboard, and you will need faster RAM to get the most out of Ryzen CPU.
Is Intel i7 6700k future proof?
Yes. Intel i7 6700 k will be a relevant processor in the next 2-3 years. After that, it will struggle because of cores & threads number, but after that, it will still be good enough for most users.
Is Intel i7 6700k still good for editing?
Intel i7 6700k is a great processor for editing even 5 years after its release. It will do a great job, but you need to know that this CPU is slower than newer 6/8 cores processors.
Is Intel i7 6700k still good for streaming?
Yes. Intel i7 6700k can be used as a streaming CPU and it will do a great job for most users. But you need to know that this CPU has limits, so it isn’t the best solution for streaming in 2022.
Difference between overclocked and base frequency
| specs: Intel i7 6700k, RTX 2070 Super, 16Gb 2400 MHz, 1TB SSD | I7 6700k Base Frequency (4.0 GHz) AVERAGE FPS | I7 6700k Overclocked Frequency (4.7 GHz) AVERAGE FPS | I7 6700k Base Frequency (4.0 GHz) CPU USAGE | I7 6700k Overclocked Frequency (4.7 GHZ) CPU USAGE | I7 6700k Base Frequency (4.0 GHz) CPU TEMP | I7 6700k Overclocked Frequency (4.7 GHZ) CPU TEMP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed Odyssey (Ultra settings - 1080p) | 61 fps | 66 fps | 87 % | 90 % | 53 °C | 55 °C |
| Witcher 3 (Ultra settings - 1080p) | 101 fps | 109 fps | 98 % | 67 % | 56 °C | 64 °C |
| Shadow Of The Tomb Raider (Ultra settings - 1080p) | 66 fps | 76 fps | 90 % | 85 % | 56 °C | 72 °C |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 (High & Ultra settings) | 80 fps | 85 fps | 57 % | 63 % | 53 °C | 66 °C |
| Far Cry New Dawn (Ultra settings - 1080p) | 73 fps | 90 fps | 62 % | 58 % | 55 °C | 71 °C |
| Grand Theft Auto 5 (Max settings - 1080p) | 94 fps | 108 fps | 70 % | 69 % | 52 °C | 69 °C |
| Forza Horizon 4 (Ultra Settings - 1080p) | 109 fps | 118 fps | 79 % | 71 % | 55 °C | 70 °C |
| Hitman 2 (Ultra Settings - 1080p) | 81 fps | 93 fps | 82 % | 74 % | 54 °C | 73 °C |
| Metro Exodus (Ultra Settings - 1080p) | 61 fps | 65 fps | 60 % | 54 % | 49 °C | 63 °C |
| World War Z (Ultra Settings - 1080p) | 117 fps | 128 fps | 81 % | 90 % | 54 °C | 70 °C |
How to overclock Intel i7 6700k
By the researches, most people that buy intel unlocked processors (k) don’t even overclock it. This information is so absurd to me because most people don’t know what are they missing. I compared the base frequency and overclocked frequency and the results are quite different as you can see in the table above.
You can check this video from Linus Tech Tips, where he showed step-by-step how to overclock this CPU
Conclusion:
Overall, the Intel i7 6700k is a great processor. In some cases, it can show his age, but it’s still a great CPU for most users.
Best Processor Deals In The Late 2023
This processor is probably one of the best deals in late 2022. With 10 cores (6+4) and 16 threads, Intel I5 12600k is extremely good for the price that you will be paying if you decide to buy it. No matter which graphics card you have, this processor will be a great support for either multitasking or video gaming. You can check it out on Amazon by pressing the button below.
This processor is often talked about and although it had some problems in the past, now Ryzen 7 5800x is probably one of the best AMD processors that you can buy for a small amount of money. This CPU is 40% off, so you should definitely use the button below and check it out before it goes on the regular price.
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