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Intel Core i7-6500U vs Intel Core i7-6970HQ vs Intel Core i7-6820HQ

Intel Core i7-6500U

► remove from comparison Intel 6500U

The Intel Core i7-6500U is an ULV (ultra low voltage) dual-core SoC based on the Skylake architecture and has been launched in September 2015. The CPU can be found in ultrabooks as well as normal notebooks. In addition to two CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 2.5 - 3.1 GHz (2 cores: max. 3.0 GHz), the chip also integrates an HD Graphics 520 GPU and a dual-channel DDR4-2133/DDR3L-1600 memory controller. The SoC is manufactured using a 14 nm process with FinFET transistors.

Architecture

Skylake replaces both Haswell and Broadwell and brings the same microarchitecture in every TDP class from 4.5 to 45 W. The extensive improvements of the Skylake design include increased out-of-order buffers, optimized prefetching and branch prediction as well as additional performance gains through Hyper-Threading. Overall, however, performance per clock has been increased by only 5 to 10 percent (compared to Haswell) respectively under 5 percent (compard to Broadwell), which is quite modest for a new architecture ("Tock").

Performance

According to the specified clock rates and the improved architecture, the Core i7-6500U should perform similar to a Core i5-4300M (Haswell, 37 W) or a Core i7-5600U (Broadwell, 15 W). Thus, the CPU has sufficient power for office and multimedia purposes as well as more demanding applications and multitasking.

Graphics

The integrated graphics unit called HD Graphics 520 represents the "GT2" version of the Skylake GPU (Intel Gen. 9). The 24 Execution Units, also called EUs, are clocked at 300 - 1050 MHz and offer a performance somewhere in range of a dedicated GeForce 820M. Games of 2015 can thus be played smoothly in low settings. For more information about performance and features, check our page for the HD Graphics 520.

Power Consumption

Specified at a TDP of 15 W (including CPU, GPU and memory controller), the CPU is best suited for small notebooks and ultrabooks (11-inches and above). Optionally, the TDP can be lowered to 7.5 watts (cTDP down), reducing both heat dissipation and performance and allowing even more compact designs.

Intel Core i7-6970HQ

► remove from comparison Intel 6970HQ

The Intel Core i7-6970HQ is a fast quad-core processor for notebooks based on the Skylake architecture and was introduced in the beginning of 2016. Besides four CPU cores including Hyperthreading, which are clocked between 2.8-3.7 GHz (probable Turbo steps: 4 cores: up to 3.3 GHz, 2 cores: up to 3.5 GHz), the processor also includes a very fast graphics unit. The Iris Pro Graphics 580 (GT4e) has 72 EUs as well as 128 MB eDRAM cache, which can also be used by the CPU cores. It is manufactured using a 14 nm process with FinFET transistors.

Contrary to other models like the Core i7-6920HQ, the i7-6970HQ does have a much faster GPU, but neither supports the instruction set extensions TSX-NI nor vPro.

Architecture

Intel uses Skylake to replace both Broadwell as well as Haswell and therefore uses one core design for all TDP classes between 4.5-45 Watts. Several improvements of the Skylake architecture include bigger Out-to-Order-Buffer, optimizations for pre-fetching as well as bigger gains by Hyperthreading. However, the changes are small for a "Tock" – a new micro architecture – in general, so the per-MHz performance is only between 5-10 % (compared to Haswell) or less than 5 % higher (compared to Broadwell), respectively.

The i7-6970HQ also benefits from the additional eDRAM cache in some cases, which can accelerate memory-heavy applications in particular.

Performance

Thanks to the additional eDRAM cache, the i7-6970HQ should even compete with the higher-clocked i7-6920HQ and is therefore one of the fastest notebook processors in the beginning of 2016. Even the most demanding applications and excessive multi-tasking are no problem for the high-end CPU.

Graphics

The integrated GPU with the designation Iris Pro Graphics 580 (also known as "GT4e") represents the fastest version of the Skylake GPU (Intel Gen. 9). 72 Execution Units (EUs) run at 350 up to 1050 MHz and allow a performance comparable to a dedicated mainstream chip. The GPU might be able to compete with a GeForce 945M under perfect conditions and it is therefore the fastest iGPU on the market by a pretty big margin. Modern games from 2015/2016 can usually be played smoothly at medium settings. More information about the performance and the features is available on our dedicated page for the Iris Pro Graphics 580.

Power Consumption

According to its TDP of 45 Watts, the chip is primarily designed for bigger notebooks starting with 15-inch screens. The TDP can optionally be reduced to 35 Watts (cTDP down), but this would obviously affect the performance.

Intel Core i7-6820HQ

► remove from comparison Intel 6820HQ

The Intel Core i7-6820HQ is a quad-core processor based on the Skylake architecture, that has been launched in September 2015. In addition to four CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 2.7 - 3.6 GHz (4 cores: max. 3.2 GHz, 2 cores: max. 3.4 GHz), the chip also integrates an HD Graphics 530 GPU and a dual-channel DDR4-2133/DDR3L-1600 memory controller. The CPU is manufactured using a 14 nm process with FinFET transistors.

Compared to the very similar Core i7-6820HK, the Core i7-6820HQ supports additional administration and security features like Intel vPro and TXT, but lacks the unlocked multiplier for OC.

Architecture

Skylake replaces both Haswell and Broadwell and brings the same microarchitecture in every TDP class from 4.5 to 45 W. The extensive improvements of the Skylake design include increased out-of-order buffers, optimized prefetching and branch prediction as well as additional performance gains through Hyper-Threading. Overall, however, performance per clock has been increased by only 5 to 10 percent (compared to Haswell) respectively under 5 percent (compard to Broadwell), which is quite modest for a new architecture ("Tock").

Performance

Thanks to the improved architecture, the Core i7-6820HQ performs roughly on par with the former Core i7-4900MQ (Haswell) or the Core i7-5700HQ (Broadwell). Under long-lasting full load, the Skylake chip will take the lead over most of its Haswell-based predecessors, as the advanced 14 nm process leads to a higher energy efficiency and reduces throttling.

Even the most demanding applications and excessive multitasking are handled easily.

Graphics

The integrated graphics unit called HD Graphics 530 represents the "GT2" version of the Skylake GPU (Intel Gen. 9). The 24 Execution Units, also called EUs, are clocked at 350 - 1050 MHz and offer a performance about 20 percent above the old HD Graphics 4600. Games of 2015 can thus be played smoothly in low or medium settings. For more information about performance and features, check our page for the HD Graphics 530.

Power Consumption

Specified at a TDP of 45 W (including CPU, GPU and memory controller), the CPU is best suited for bigger notebooks 15-inches in size and above. Optionally, the TDP can be lowered to 35 watts (cTDP down), reducing both heat dissipation and performance.

ModelIntel Core i7-6500UIntel Core i7-6970HQIntel Core i7-6820HQ
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameSkylakeSkylakeSkylake
Series: Core i7 Skylake
Intel Core i7-6920HQ2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6970HQ2.8 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6870HQ2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6820HK2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6820HQ2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6770HQ2.6 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6700HQ2.6 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6567U3.3 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6600U2.6 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6650U2.2 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6560U2.2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6500U « 2.5 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6920HQ2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6970HQ « 2.8 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6870HQ2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6820HK2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6820HQ2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6770HQ2.6 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6700HQ2.6 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6567U3.3 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6600U2.6 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6650U2.2 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6560U2.2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6500U2.5 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6920HQ2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6970HQ2.8 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6870HQ2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6820HK2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6820HQ « 2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6770HQ2.6 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6700HQ2.6 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6567U3.3 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6600U2.6 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6650U2.2 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6560U2.2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6500U2.5 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock2500 - 3100 MHz2800 - 3700 MHz2700 - 3600 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB8 MB8 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 84 / 8
TDP15 Watt45 Watt45 Watt
Technology14 nm14 nm14 nm
Die Size99 mm2122 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketBGABGABGA
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NIDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI, TXTDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI, vPro, TXT
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 520 (300 - 1050 MHz)Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 (350 - 1050 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 530 (350 - 1050 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$393 U.S.$623 U.S.$378 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6500U +
min: 220     avg: 307.4     median: 316 (2%)     max: 330 Points
223%
1 6820HQ +
min: 699     avg: 703     median: 704 (4%)     max: 706 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6500U +
min: 84     avg: 124.3     median: 128 (39%)     max: 132 Points
120%
1 6820HQ +
min: 149     avg: 152     median: 153 (46%)     max: 154 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6500U +
min: 2.44     avg: 3.4     median: 3.5 (5%)     max: 3.64 Points
219%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7.63     avg: 7.7     median: 7.7 (10%)     max: 7.7 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6500U +
min: 0.98     avg: 1.4     median: 1.5 (36%)     max: 1.49 Points
118%
1 6820HQ +
min: 1.7     avg: 1.7     median: 1.7 (43%)     max: 1.74 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 6500U +
min: 3295     avg: 4922     median: 4886 (30%)     max: 7350 Points
111%
1 6820HQ +
min: 5401     avg: 5470     median: 5429 (33%)     max: 5580 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 6500U +
min: 7308     avg: 10403     median: 10844 (8%)     max: 11200 Points
192%
1 6820HQ +
min: 20682     avg: 20876     median: 20868 (15%)     max: 21079 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 6500U +
min: 9374     avg: 13463     median: 13885.5 (10%)     max: 14377 Points
196%
1 6820HQ +
min: 27072     avg: 27217     median: 27217 (19%)     max: 27362 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 6500U +
min: 6209     avg: 6418     median: 6352.5 (8%)     max: 7220 Points
110%
1 6820HQ +
min: 6965     avg: 6978     median: 6978 (8%)     max: 6991 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 6500U +
min: 476     avg: 509     median: 517 (6%)     max: 540 s
104%
1 6820HQ +
min: 230.8     avg: 235.9     median: 235.9 (3%)     max: 241 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 6500U +
min: 15     avg: 15.7     median: 15.7 (3%)     max: 16.53 s
102%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7.77     avg: 7.9     median: 7.9 (2%)     max: 8.03 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 6500U +
min: 2355     avg: 2550     median: 2482 (4%)     max: 2813 Points
147%
1 6820HQ +
min: 3187     avg: 3642     median: 3642 (6%)     max: 4097 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 6500U +
min: 18.13     avg: 20.1     median: 20.4 (7%)     max: 21 fps
216%
1 6820HQ +
min: 44     avg: 44.2     median: 44.2 (15%)     max: 44.3 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 6500U +
min: 99.5     avg: 105.5     median: 105 (24%)     max: 110.7 fps
156%
1 6820HQ +
min: 160.9     avg: 164     median: 164 (38%)     max: 167 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 6500U +
min: 0.181     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.191 GB/s
211%
1 6820HQ +
min: 0.386     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.41 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 6500U +
min: 0.262     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (6%)     max: 0.322 GB/s
211%
1 6820HQ +
min: 0.665     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (12%)     max: 0.69 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 6500U +
min: 1.8     avg: 1.8     median: 1.8 (5%)     max: 1.9 GB/s
217%
1 6820HQ +
3.9 GB/s (10%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
1 6500U +
min: 3214     avg: 4112     median: 4231 (9%)     max: 4283 Points
162%
1 6820HQ +
min: 6835     avg: 7008     median: 6866 (15%)     max: 7323 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
1 6500U +
min: 12     avg: 12.4     median: 12.2 (3%)     max: 13.2 s
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 10     avg: 10.5     median: 10.5 (2%)     max: 10.99 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
1 6500U +
min: 27     avg: 28.1     median: 28 (1%)     max: 29.7 s
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 23     avg: 23.6     median: 23.6 (1%)     max: 24.1 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 6500U +
min: 615     avg: 653     median: 653.5 (3%)     max: 690 s
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 561     avg: 571     median: 571 (3%)     max: 581 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 6500U +
min: 8291     avg: 11139     median: 11639 (10%)     max: 11851 Points
218%
1 6820HQ +
min: 24707     avg: 25336     median: 25336 (22%)     max: 25965 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 6500U +
min: 3079     avg: 4223     median: 4243.5 (11%)     max: 5008 Points
229%
1 6820HQ +
min: 8943     avg: 9524     median: 9731 (26%)     max: 9897 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 6500U +
min: 22594     avg: 35503     median: 36182 (29%)     max: 41441 Points
110%
1 6820HQ +
min: 39574     avg: 39915     median: 39915 (32%)     max: 40256 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
1 6500U +
min: 22961     avg: 35023     median: 35351 (29%)     max: 40997 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 6500U +
min: 25957     avg: 37163     median: 38156 (32%)     max: 43183 Points
128%
1 6820HQ +
48991 Points (41%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 6500U +
min: 1843     avg: 3309     median: 3415 (9%)     max: 3595 Points
215%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7287     avg: 7356     median: 7350 (19%)     max: 7431 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 6500U +
min: 2990     avg: 4778     median: 4905 (9%)     max: 5069 Points
206%
1 6820HQ +
min: 9944     avg: 10113     median: 10096 (18%)     max: 10300 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
100%
1 6500U +
min: 1205     avg: 1685     median: 1837.5 (8%)     max: 1861 Points
220%
1 6820HQ +
4047 Points (17%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 3350     avg: 3709     median: 3872 (53%)     max: 3906 Points
110%
1 6820HQ +
4257 Points (58%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 6721     avg: 7191     median: 7303 (18%)     max: 7550 Points
183%
1 6820HQ +
13339 Points (32%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 6092     avg: 6472     median: 6488.5 (12%)     max: 6904 Points
202%
1 6820HQ +
13090 Points (23%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 2800     avg: 3012     median: 2997.5 (59%)     max: 3278 Points
122%
1 6820HQ +
3668 Points (72%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 6403     avg: 6728     median: 6728 (11%)     max: 7053 Points
206%
1 6820HQ +
13856 Points (22%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 2902     avg: 3146     median: 3145.5 (47%)     max: 3389 Points
122%
1 6820HQ +
3849 Points (58%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 6500U +
7572 Points (20%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
100%
1 6500U +
min: 1081     avg: 1230     median: 1133 (1%)     max: 2127 ms
99%
1 6820HQ +
1834 ms (2%)
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
100%
1 6500U +
min: 80.2     avg: 88.3     median: 85.9 (1%)     max: 110.4 ms
100%
1 6820HQ +
84.2 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 6500U +
min: 15973     avg: 30117     median: 31016 (28%)     max: 33275 Points
63%
1 6820HQ +
19404 Points (17%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6820HQ +
77.8 Watt (13%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6820HQ +
35.9 Watt (7%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
100%
1 6820HQ +
19.6 Points per Watt (15%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6500U → 0% n=

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6820HQ → 0% n=

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.26
log 29. 14:22:39

#0 checking url part for id 6968 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 8017 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 6975 +0s ... 0s

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:35:32 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.042s ... 0.043s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.043s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 6968 +0.003s ... 0.047s

#8 got single benchmarks 6968 +0.171s ... 0.218s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 8017 +0.003s ... 0.221s

#10 got single benchmarks 8017 +0s ... 0.221s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 6975 +0.003s ... 0.223s

#12 got single benchmarks 6975 +0.02s ... 0.244s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.244s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.262s ... 0.506s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.506s

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)