Intel Core i7-6700T vs Intel Core i9-9900T vs Intel Core i9-9900K

Intel Core i7-6700T

The Intel Core i7-6700T is a quad-core processor based on the Skylake architecture, that has been launched in September 2015. It is generally intended for desktops but due to the relatively low TDP of 35 Watt is is also used in some laptops. In addition to four CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 2.8 - 3.6 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.

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 i7-6700T performs roughly on par with the former, somewhat higher clocked Intel Core i7-3770K (Ivy Bridge). Therefore, the CPU is also well suited for demanding applications.

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 - 1100 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 HD Graphics 530.

Power Consumption

Specified at a TDP of 35 W (including CPU, GPU and memory controller), the CPU is best suited for bigger notebooks 15-inches in size and above or small desktops.

Intel Core i9-9900T

The Intel Core i9-9900T is a high end power efficient desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. Compared to the similar named top model Core i9-9900K, the 9900T offers lower clock speeds (2.1 - 4.4 GHz versus 3.6 - 5 GHz) and a reduced TDP of 35 versus 95 Watt. It still offers all 8 cores and 16 threads and is intended for small chassis or laptops.

The performance is clearly behind the Core i9-9900K and more in the realm of the older 6-core Coffee Lake CPUs.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card is clocked at up to 1.2 GHz and offers no advantage compared to previous generations. As it is a very low end GPU, only some low demanding games like Hearthstone can be played with it (see GPU page for benchmarks).

Intel Core i9-9900K

The Intel Core i9-9900K is a high end desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. At the time of announcement in late 2018, the 9900K is the fastest Coffee Lake CPU and offers an open multiplicator for easy overclocking. The CPU integrates 8 cores (16 threads) clocked at 3.6 - 5 GHz and it needs a new Z390 based mainboard.

Thanks to the two additional cores, the performance in multi-threaded applications is up to 25 % faster than the older Core i7-8700K. The single thread performance is only slightly faster due to the higher clock speeds. As a high end desktop CPU, the i9-9900K is suited even for very demanding applications and perfect for 3D gaming.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card is clocked at up to 1.2 GHz and offers no advantage compared to previous generations. As it is a very low end GPU, only some low demanding games like Hearthstone can be played with it (see GPU page for benchmarks).

Intel specifies the TDP at 95 Watt, so if the CPU is used in laptops a big and chunky cooling system is needed to avoid throttling and lower clock speeds under sustained loads. When overclocking the CPU, the power consumption can easily rise up to 200 Watt and higher.