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Intel Core i7-6600U vs Intel Core i7-6560U vs Intel Core i7-6820HQ

Intel Core i7-6600U

► remove from comparison Intel 6600U

The Intel Core i7-6600U is an ULV (ultra low voltage) dual-core SoC based on the Skylake architecture. In September 2015, it's the fastest CPU of the 15 W series, which can be found in ultrabooks as well as normal notebooks. In addition to two CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 2.6 - 3.4 GHz (2 cores: max. 3.2 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 i7-6600U should perform similar to a Core i5-4310M (Haswell, 37 W) and is one of the fastest ULV dual-cores as of late 2015. 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 i7-6560U

► 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 i7-6820HQ

► 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 i7-6600UIntel Core i7-6560UIntel 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 i7-6600U « 2.6 - 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 i7-6820HQ2.7 - 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 i7-6970HQ2.8 - 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
Clock2600 - 3400 MHz2200 - 3200 MHz2700 - 3600 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB128 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB4 MB8 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 44 / 8
TDP15 Watt15 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-NI, vPro, TXTDual-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, vPro, TXT
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 520 (300 - 1050 MHz)Intel Iris Graphics 540 (300 - 1050 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 530 (350 - 1050 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$393 U.S.$378 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 306     avg: 324     median: 321 (2%)     max: 348 Points
min: 303     avg: 311.7     median: 314 (2%)     max: 318 Points
min: 699     avg: 703     median: 704 (4%)     max: 706 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 118     avg: 136.6     median: 141 (42%)     max: 144 Points
min: 130     avg: 131.7     median: 132 (40%)     max: 133 Points
min: 149     avg: 152     median: 153 (46%)     max: 154 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 3.25     avg: 3.6     median: 3.6 (5%)     max: 3.84 Points
3.5 Points (4%)
min: 7.63     avg: 7.7     median: 7.7 (10%)     max: 7.7 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 1.19     avg: 1.6     median: 1.6 (40%)     max: 1.63 Points
1.5 Points (38%)
min: 1.7     avg: 1.7     median: 1.7 (43%)     max: 1.74 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 3260     avg: 5259     median: 5298 (32%)     max: 7045 Points
5054 Points (31%)
min: 5401     avg: 5470     median: 5429 (33%)     max: 5580 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 9140     avg: 11541     median: 11320 (8%)     max: 14948 Points
11205 Points (8%)
min: 20682     avg: 20876     median: 20868 (15%)     max: 21079 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 6600U +
min: 14391     avg: 14724     median: 14412 (10%)     max: 15369 Points
189%
1 6820HQ +
min: 27072     avg: 27217     median: 27217 (19%)     max: 27362 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 6600U +
min: 6863     avg: 7593     median: 6890 (8%)     max: 9027 Points
101%
1 6820HQ +
min: 6965     avg: 6978     median: 6978 (8%)     max: 6991 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 447.3     avg: 503     median: 509 (6%)     max: 526 s
482.9 s (6%)
min: 230.8     avg: 235.9     median: 235.9 (3%)     max: 241 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 14.08     avg: 15.3     median: 14.7 (3%)     max: 19.26 s
14.6 s (3%)
min: 7.77     avg: 7.9     median: 7.9 (2%)     max: 8.03 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 6600U +
min: 2264     avg: 2450     median: 2449.5 (4%)     max: 2635 Points
149%
1 6820HQ +
min: 3187     avg: 3642     median: 3642 (6%)     max: 4097 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
min: 19.52     avg: 20.8     median: 20 (7%)     max: 22.62 fps
20.3 fps (7%)
min: 44     avg: 44.2     median: 44.2 (15%)     max: 44.3 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 103.7     avg: 111     median: 109 (25%)     max: 120.4 fps
110 fps (25%)
min: 160.9     avg: 164     median: 164 (38%)     max: 167 fps
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
100%
1 6560U +
2.5 fps (4%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.193     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.201 GB/s
0.2 GB/s (0%)
min: 0.386     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.41 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.317     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (6%)     max: 0.343 GB/s
0.3 GB/s (6%)
min: 0.665     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (12%)     max: 0.69 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 1.9     avg: 1.9     median: 1.9 (5%)     max: 2 GB/s
1.9 GB/s (5%)
3.9 GB/s (10%)
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
100%
1 6560U +
1505 Seconds (11%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
1 6600U +
min: 4107     avg: 4334     median: 4333.5 (9%)     max: 4560 Points
158%
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 *
min: 10.9     avg: 11.1     median: 11.1 (2%)     max: 11.35 s
11.8 s (3%)
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 *
min: 24.75     avg: 25.2     median: 25.1 (1%)     max: 26.03 s
26.8 s (1%)
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 *
min: 558     avg: 578     median: 572 (3%)     max: 610 s
618 s (3%)
min: 561     avg: 571     median: 571 (3%)     max: 581 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 6600U +
12712 Points (11%)
199%
1 6820HQ +
min: 24707     avg: 25336     median: 25336 (22%)     max: 25965 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 4034     avg: 4479     median: 4606.5 (12%)     max: 4780 Points
min: 4255     avg: 4408     median: 4399 (12%)     max: 4570 Points
min: 8943     avg: 9524     median: 9731 (26%)     max: 9897 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 31340     avg: 38138     median: 37127 (30%)     max: 42543 Points
min: 36243     avg: 39493     median: 40569 (33%)     max: 41667 Points
min: 39574     avg: 39915     median: 39915 (32%)     max: 40256 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
1 6600U +
min: 26121     avg: 37420     median: 39364 (32%)     max: 42164 Points
93%
1 6560U +
36774 Points (30%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 42770     avg: 43159     median: 43159 (36%)     max: 43548 Points
44124 Points (37%)
48991 Points (41%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 3073     avg: 3543     median: 3569 (9%)     max: 3745 Points
min: 3351     avg: 3413     median: 3379 (9%)     max: 3509 Points
min: 7287     avg: 7356     median: 7350 (19%)     max: 7431 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 4279     avg: 5086     median: 5134.5 (9%)     max: 5344 Points
min: 5007     avg: 5036     median: 5035.5 (9%)     max: 5064 Points
min: 9944     avg: 10113     median: 10096 (18%)     max: 10300 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
100%
1 6820HQ +
4047 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 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6820HQ +
4257 Points (58%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6820HQ +
13339 Points (32%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6600U +
min: 6303     avg: 6693     median: 6692.5 (12%)     max: 7082 Points
196%
1 6820HQ +
13090 Points (23%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6600U +
min: 3060     avg: 3222     median: 3222 (63%)     max: 3384 Points
114%
1 6820HQ +
3668 Points (72%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6600U +
min: 6618     avg: 7032     median: 7031.5 (11%)     max: 7445 Points
197%
1 6820HQ +
13856 Points (22%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6600U +
min: 3191     avg: 3369     median: 3369 (50%)     max: 3547 Points
114%
1 6820HQ +
3849 Points (58%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
100%
1 6600U +
min: 1030     avg: 1601     median: 1048 (1%)     max: 3827 ms
99%
1 6820HQ +
1834 ms (2%)
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
100%
1 6600U +
min: 77.3     avg: 137.8     median: 134.4 (1%)     max: 205 ms
101%
1 6820HQ +
84.2 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 6600U +
min: 8244     avg: 28548     median: 32986 (30%)     max: 35045 Points
59%
1 6820HQ +
19404 Points (17%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6600U +
28.9 Watt (5%)
91%
1 6820HQ +
77.8 Watt (13%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6600U +
26.2 Watt (5%)
98%
1 6820HQ +
35.9 Watt (7%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
100%
1 6600U +
11.8 Points per Watt (9%)
166%
1 6820HQ +
19.6 Points per Watt (15%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6600U → 100% n=21

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6560U → 99% n=21

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6820HQ → 155% n=21

- 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. 02:27:08

#0 checking url part for id 6969 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 7044 +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 +0.045s ... 0.046s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.046s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 6969 +0.003s ... 0.049s

#8 got single benchmarks 6969 +0.057s ... 0.106s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 7044 +0.003s ... 0.109s

#10 got single benchmarks 7044 +0.021s ... 0.13s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 6975 +0.003s ... 0.133s

#12 got single benchmarks 6975 +0.023s ... 0.155s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.155s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.368s ... 0.523s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.523s

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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)