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Intel Core i7-6650U vs Intel Core i7-6970HQ vs Intel Core i7-6560U

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 i7-6970HQ

► 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 i7-6560U

► 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.

ModelIntel Core i7-6650UIntel Core i7-6970HQIntel Core i7-6560U
CodenameSkylakeSkylakeSkylake
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7Intel Core i7
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 i7-6970HQ « 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 i7-6820HQ2.7 - 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
Clock2200 - 3400 MHz2800 - 3700 MHz2200 - 3200 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 - 1050 MHz)Intel Iris Graphics 540 (300 - 1050 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$415 U.S.$623 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6650U +
342 Points (2%)
92%
1 6560U +
min: 303     avg: 311.7     median: 314 (2%)     max: 318 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6650U +
132 Points (37%)
100%
1 6560U +
min: 130     avg: 131.7     median: 132 (37%)     max: 133 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6650U +
3.8 Points (5%)
91%
1 6560U +
3.5 Points (4%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6650U +
1.5 Points (36%)
101%
1 6560U +
1.5 Points (36%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 6650U +
5223 Points (32%)
97%
1 6560U +
5054 Points (31%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 6650U +
11564 Points (8%)
97%
1 6560U +
11205 Points (8%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 6650U +
14833 Points (9%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 6650U +
6787 Points (8%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 6650U +
445.6 s (5%)
92%
1 6560U +
482.9 s (6%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 6650U +
14.9 s (3%)
102%
1 6560U +
14.6 s (3%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multi 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 (40%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 6560U +
20.3 fps (7%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 6560U +
110 fps (25%)
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
100%
1 6560U +
2.5 fps (4%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 6650U +
0.2 GB/s (6%)
95%
1 6560U +
0.2 GB/s (6%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 6650U +
0.3 GB/s (6%)
94%
1 6560U +
0.3 GB/s (6%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 6650U +
2 GB/s (5%)
95%
1 6560U +
1.9 GB/s (5%)
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
100%
1 6560U +
1505 Seconds (11%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
1 6650U +
11.7 s (3%)
99%
1 6560U +
11.8 s (3%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
1 6650U +
26.3 s (1%)
98%
1 6560U +
26.8 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 6650U +
613 s (3%)
99%
1 6560U +
618 s (3%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 6650U +
4919 Points (12%)
89%
1 6560U +
min: 4255     avg: 4408     median: 4399 (11%)     max: 4570 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 6650U +
44259 Points (36%)
92%
1 6560U +
min: 36243     avg: 39493     median: 40569 (33%)     max: 41667 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
1 6650U +
43694 Points (35%)
84%
1 6560U +
36774 Points (30%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 6650U +
44857 Points (37%)
98%
1 6560U +
44124 Points (37%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 6650U +
3639 Points (9%)
93%
1 6560U +
min: 3351     avg: 3413     median: 3379 (9%)     max: 3509 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 6650U +
5372 Points (10%)
94%
1 6560U +
min: 5007     avg: 5036     median: 5035.5 (9%)     max: 5064 Points
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 (8%)

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

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

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

v1.28
log 02. 18:22:50

#0 ran 0s before starting gpusingle class +0s ... 0s

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

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

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

#4 redirected to Ajax server, took 1733160170s time from redirect:0 +0s ... 0s

#5 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Sun, 01 Dec 2024 05:18:52 +0100 +0s ... 0s

#6 composed specs +0.008s ... 0.008s

#7 did output specs +0s ... 0.008s

#8 getting avg benchmarks for device 7045 +0.001s ... 0.009s

#9 got single benchmarks 7045 +0.003s ... 0.012s

#10 getting avg benchmarks for device 8017 +0.001s ... 0.013s

#11 got single benchmarks 8017 +0s ... 0.013s

#12 getting avg benchmarks for device 7044 +0.001s ... 0.013s

#13 got single benchmarks 7044 +0.007s ... 0.021s

#14 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.021s

#15 min, max, avg, median took s +0.019s ... 0.04s

#16 return log +0s ... 0.04s

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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)