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Intel Core i7-6650U vs Intel Core i7-6870HQ vs Intel Core i7-6500U

Intel Core i7-6650U

► remove from comparison Intel 6650U

The Intel Core i7-6650U 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 (besides the i7-6600U) and can be found in ultrabooks as well as normal notebooks. In addition to two CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 2.2 - 3.4 GHz (2 cores: max. 3.2 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 i7-6650U 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 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 i7-6870HQ

► remove from comparison Intel 6870HQ

The Intel Core i7-6870HQ 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 2.7-3.6 GHz (probable Turbo steps: 4 cores: up to 3.2 GHz, 2 cores: up to 3.4 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 i7-6820HQ, the i7-6870HQ 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 i7-6870HQ 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 i7-6870HQ should even compete with the similarly clocked i7-6820HQ 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 1000 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 i7-6500U

► 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.

ModelIntel Core i7-6650UIntel Core i7-6870HQIntel Core i7-6500U
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 i7-6650U « 2.2 - 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 i7-6870HQ « 2.7 - 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 i7-6820HQ2.7 - 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
Clock2200 - 3400 MHz2700 - 3600 MHz2500 - 3100 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB128 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB512 KB
L3 Cache4 MB8 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 82 / 4
TDP15 Watt45 Watt15 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-NI, vPro, TXTDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI, TXTDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI
iGPUIntel Iris Graphics 540 (300 - 1050 MHz)Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 (350 - 1000 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 520 (300 - 1050 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$415 U.S.$434 U.S.$393 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
Die Size99 mm2

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6650U +
342 Points (2%)
92%
1 6500U +
min: 220     avg: 307.4     median: 316 (2%)     max: 330 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6650U +
132 Points (40%)
97%
1 6500U +
min: 84     avg: 124.3     median: 128 (39%)     max: 132 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6650U +
3.8 Points (5%)
92%
1 6500U +
min: 2.44     avg: 3.4     median: 3.5 (5%)     max: 3.64 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6650U +
1.5 Points (38%)
97%
1 6500U +
min: 0.98     avg: 1.4     median: 1.5 (36%)     max: 1.49 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 6650U +
5223 Points (32%)
94%
1 6500U +
min: 3295     avg: 4922     median: 4886 (30%)     max: 7350 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 6650U +
11564 Points (8%)
94%
1 6500U +
min: 7308     avg: 10403     median: 10844 (8%)     max: 11200 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 6650U +
14833 Points (10%)
94%
1 6500U +
min: 9374     avg: 13463     median: 13885.5 (10%)     max: 14377 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 6650U +
6787 Points (8%)
94%
1 6500U +
min: 6209     avg: 6418     median: 6352.5 (8%)     max: 7220 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 6650U +
445.6 s (5%)
99%
1 6500U +
min: 476     avg: 509     median: 517 (6%)     max: 540 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 6650U +
14.9 s (3%)
100%
1 6500U +
min: 15     avg: 15.7     median: 15.7 (3%)     max: 16.53 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 6500U +
min: 2355     avg: 2550     median: 2482 (4%)     max: 2813 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
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 6500U +
min: 99.5     avg: 105.5     median: 105 (24%)     max: 110.7 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 6650U +
0.2 GB/s (0%)
94%
1 6500U +
min: 0.181     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.191 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 6650U +
0.3 GB/s (6%)
93%
1 6500U +
min: 0.262     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (6%)     max: 0.322 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 6650U +
2 GB/s (5%)
90%
1 6500U +
min: 1.8     avg: 1.8     median: 1.8 (5%)     max: 1.9 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
1 6500U +
min: 3214     avg: 4112     median: 4231 (9%)     max: 4283 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
1 6650U +
11.7 s (3%)
100%
1 6500U +
min: 12     avg: 12.4     median: 12.2 (3%)     max: 13.2 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
1 6650U +
26.3 s (1%)
100%
1 6500U +
min: 27     avg: 28.1     median: 28 (1%)     max: 29.7 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 6650U +
613 s (3%)
100%
1 6500U +
min: 615     avg: 653     median: 653.5 (3%)     max: 690 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 6500U +
min: 8291     avg: 11139     median: 11639 (10%)     max: 11851 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 6650U +
4919 Points (13%)
86%
1 6500U +
min: 3079     avg: 4223     median: 4243.5 (11%)     max: 5008 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 6650U +
44259 Points (36%)
82%
1 6500U +
min: 22594     avg: 35503     median: 36182 (29%)     max: 41441 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
1 6650U +
43694 Points (35%)
81%
1 6500U +
min: 22961     avg: 35023     median: 35351 (29%)     max: 40997 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 6650U +
44857 Points (38%)
85%
1 6500U +
min: 25957     avg: 37163     median: 38156 (32%)     max: 43183 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 6650U +
3639 Points (9%)
94%
1 6500U +
min: 1843     avg: 3309     median: 3415 (9%)     max: 3595 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 6650U +
5372 Points (10%)
91%
1 6500U +
min: 2990     avg: 4778     median: 4905 (9%)     max: 5069 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
100%
1 6500U +
min: 1205     avg: 1685     median: 1837.5 (8%)     max: 1861 Points
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 3350     avg: 3709     median: 3872 (53%)     max: 3906 Points
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 6721     avg: 7191     median: 7303 (18%)     max: 7550 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 6092     avg: 6472     median: 6488.5 (12%)     max: 6904 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 2800     avg: 3012     median: 2997.5 (59%)     max: 3278 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 6403     avg: 6728     median: 6728 (11%)     max: 7053 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 2902     avg: 3146     median: 3145.5 (47%)     max: 3389 Points
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
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
100%
1 6500U +
min: 80.2     avg: 88.3     median: 85.9 (1%)     max: 110.4 ms
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 6500U +
min: 15973     avg: 30117     median: 31016 (28%)     max: 33275 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6650U → 0% n=

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6500U → 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. 19:57:36

#0 checking url part for id 7045 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 8018 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 6968 +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 +0.043s ... 0.044s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.044s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 7045 +0.002s ... 0.046s

#8 got single benchmarks 7045 +0.006s ... 0.053s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 8018 +0.002s ... 0.054s

#10 got single benchmarks 8018 +0s ... 0.055s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 6968 +0.003s ... 0.058s

#12 got single benchmarks 6968 +0.196s ... 0.253s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.253s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.219s ... 0.472s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.472s

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