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Intel Core i7-6560U vs Intel Core i7-6970HQ vs Intel Core i7-6820HK

Intel Core i7-6560U

► remove from comparison Intel 6560U

The Intel Core i7-6560U 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 2.2 - 3.2 GHz (2 cores: max. 3.1 GHz), the chip also integrates an Iris Graphics 540 GPU with 64 MB of dedicated eDRAM memory 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").

Furthermore, the organisation of the eDRAM cache has been modified. Instead of acting like a victim cache, which has to be adressed via the L3/LLC, the eDRAM can now be adressed directly by programms just like the main memory. The size is still 128 MB for the quad-core models (4C + GT4e), while the dual-core chips (2C + GT3e) only offer 64 MB.

Performance

According to the specified clock rates and the improved architecture, the Core i7-6560U should perform similar to a Core i5-4300M (Haswell, 37 W) and slightly beat the 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 Iris Graphics 540 represents the "GT3e" version of the Skylake GPU (Intel Gen. 9). The 48 Execution Units, also called EUs, are clocked at 300 - 1050 MHz and offer (thanks to the fast eDRAM cache) a performance sligthly above a dedicated GeForce 920M. 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 Iris Graphics 540.

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 9.5 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 i7-6820HK

► remove from comparison Intel 6820HK

The Intel Core i7-6820HK 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.

Currently, the i7-6820HK is the only Skylake chip with an unlocked multiplier for easy overclocking (similar to previous Extreme Editions).

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

Tanks to the improved architecture, the Core i7-6820HK 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. If the 6820HK is overclocked (we've tested up to 4.0 GHz on all 4 cores), the performance will be even better.

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 i7-6560UIntel Core i7-6970HQIntel Core i7-6820HK
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 i7-6560U « 2.2 - 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 i7-6970HQ « 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 i7-6820HK « 2.7 - 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
Clock2200 - 3200 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
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
iGPUIntel Iris Graphics 540 (300 - 1050 MHz)Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 (350 - 1050 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 530 (350 - 1050 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
$623 U.S.$378 U.S.
Die Size122 mm2

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6560U +
min: 303     avg: 311.7     median: 314 (2%)     max: 318 Points
226%
1 6820HK +
min: 687     avg: 739     median: 709 (4%)     max: 836 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6560U +
min: 130     avg: 131.7     median: 132 (40%)     max: 133 Points
115%
1 6820HK +
min: 134     avg: 153.9     median: 152 (46%)     max: 172 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6560U +
3.5 Points (4%)
225%
1 6820HK +
min: 7.7     avg: 8.1     median: 7.8 (10%)     max: 9.24 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6560U +
1.5 Points (38%)
114%
1 6820HK +
min: 1.58     avg: 1.8     median: 1.7 (43%)     max: 1.94 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 6560U +
5054 Points (31%)
112%
1 6820HK +
min: 5559     avg: 5776     median: 5653 (34%)     max: 6405 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 6560U +
11205 Points (8%)
189%
1 6820HK +
min: 20910     avg: 21774     median: 21165 (15%)     max: 24966 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 27271     avg: 27498     median: 27479.5 (19%)     max: 27762 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 7217     avg: 7316     median: 7313 (9%)     max: 7421 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 6560U +
482.9 s (6%)
103%
1 6820HK +
min: 210.3     avg: 229.7     median: 224.7 (3%)     max: 296.6 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 6560U +
14.6 s (3%)
102%
1 6820HK +
min: 6.434     avg: 7.4     median: 7.3 (1%)     max: 9.5 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 5314     avg: 5369     median: 5314 (8%)     max: 5480 Points
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
100%
1 6560U +
8885 MIPS (5%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
100%
1 6560U +
3396 MIPS (41%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 6560U +
20.3 fps (7%)
217%
1 6820HK +
min: 43.9     avg: 45.1     median: 44.1 (15%)     max: 50 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 6560U +
110 fps (25%)
151%
1 6820HK +
min: 160.9     avg: 171.4     median: 165.9 (38%)     max: 190 fps
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
100%
1 6560U +
2.5 fps (4%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 6560U +
0.2 GB/s (0%)
211%
1 6820HK +
min: 0.311     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.477 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 6560U +
0.3 GB/s (6%)
210%
1 6820HK +
min: 0.503     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (12%)     max: 0.803 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 6560U +
1.9 GB/s (5%)
205%
1 6820HK +
min: 2.1     avg: 3.9     median: 3.9 (10%)     max: 4.6 GB/s
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
100%
1 6560U +
1505 Seconds (11%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 7234     avg: 7601     median: 7410 (16%)     max: 8697 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
1 6560U +
11.8 s (3%)
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 9     avg: 10     median: 10.3 (2%)     max: 10.63 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
1 6560U +
26.8 s (1%)
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 20     avg: 22.3     median: 23 (1%)     max: 23.39 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 6560U +
618 s (3%)
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 486.7     avg: 532     median: 535.5 (2%)     max: 572 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 26017     avg: 26256     median: 26272 (23%)     max: 26478 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 6560U +
min: 4255     avg: 4408     median: 4399 (12%)     max: 4570 Points
215%
1 6820HK +
min: 8220     avg: 9612     median: 9468 (26%)     max: 10925 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 6560U +
min: 36243     avg: 39493     median: 40569 (33%)     max: 41667 Points
117%
1 6820HK +
min: 43579     avg: 49276     median: 47533.5 (39%)     max: 58061 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
1 6560U +
36774 Points (30%)
130%
1 6820HK +
min: 43592     avg: 49506     median: 47817 (39%)     max: 56227 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 6560U +
44124 Points (37%)
108%
1 6820HK +
min: 45688     avg: 49381     median: 47727 (40%)     max: 55770 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 6560U +
min: 3351     avg: 3413     median: 3379 (9%)     max: 3509 Points
219%
1 6820HK +
min: 6663     avg: 7660     median: 7388 (19%)     max: 8824 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 6560U +
min: 5007     avg: 5036     median: 5035.5 (9%)     max: 5064 Points
203%
1 6820HK +
min: 9695     avg: 10672     median: 10219 (18%)     max: 12239 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
100%
1 6820HK +
4069 Points (17%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6560U +
3903 Points (39%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6560U +
7776 Points (9%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6820HK +
13486 Points (24%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6820HK +
3819 Points (75%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6820HK +
14128 Points (22%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6820HK +
3983 Points (60%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 923     avg: 1122     median: 966.5 (1%)     max: 1631 ms
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 65.7     avg: 78.8     median: 69.8 (1%)     max: 95.8 ms
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 16177     avg: 34771     median: 36903 (33%)     max: 44322 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6560U → 0% n=

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6820HK → 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 28. 18:22:25

#0 checking url part for id 7044 +0s ... 0s

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

#2 checking url part for id 6974 +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 +0.04s ... 0.041s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.041s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 7044 +0.003s ... 0.044s

#8 got single benchmarks 7044 +0.02s ... 0.064s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 8017 +0.003s ... 0.066s

#10 got single benchmarks 8017 +0s ... 0.066s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 6974 +0.003s ... 0.07s

#12 got single benchmarks 6974 +0.083s ... 0.153s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.153s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.24s ... 0.393s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.393s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)