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Intel Core i7-6820HK vs Intel Core i7-6500U vs Intel Core i7-6920HQ

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.

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.

Intel Core i7-6920HQ

► remove from comparison Intel 6920HQ

The Intel Core i7-6920HQ is a high-end quad-core processor for notebooks. It's the top-model of the Skylake series and has been presented in September 2015. In addition to four CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 2.9 - 3.8 GHz (4 cores: max. 3.4 GHz, 2 cores: max. 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 i7-6920HQ should perform roughly on par with the former, slightly higher clocked Core i7-4910MQ (Haswell). Under long-lasting full load, the Skylake chip might take the lead, 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 Core i7-6920HQ 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 i7-6820HKIntel Core i7-6500UIntel Core i7-6920HQ
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 i7-6820HK « 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
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
Intel Core i7-6920HQ « 2.9 - 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 i7-6500U2.5 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock2700 - 3600 MHz2500 - 3100 MHz2900 - 3800 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB128 KB256 KB
L2 Cache1 MB512 KB1 MB
L3 Cache8 MB4 MB8 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 82 / 44 / 8
TDP45 Watt15 Watt45 Watt
Technology14 nm14 nm14 nm
Die Size122 mm299 mm2122 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketBGABGABGA
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NIDual-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 530 (350 - 1050 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 520 (300 - 1050 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 530 (350 - 1050 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$378 U.S.$393 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 687     avg: 739     median: 709 (4%)     max: 836 Points
min: 220     avg: 307.4     median: 316 (2%)     max: 330 Points
min: 729     avg: 735     median: 734.5 (5%)     max: 740 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 134     avg: 153.9     median: 152 (46%)     max: 172 Points
min: 84     avg: 124.3     median: 128 (39%)     max: 132 Points
min: 156     avg: 159.5     median: 159.5 (48%)     max: 163 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 7.7     avg: 8.1     median: 7.8 (10%)     max: 9.24 Points
min: 2.44     avg: 3.4     median: 3.5 (5%)     max: 3.64 Points
7.9 Points (10%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 1.58     avg: 1.8     median: 1.7 (43%)     max: 1.94 Points
min: 0.98     avg: 1.4     median: 1.5 (36%)     max: 1.49 Points
1.9 Points (46%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 5559     avg: 5776     median: 5653 (34%)     max: 6405 Points
min: 3295     avg: 4922     median: 4886 (30%)     max: 7350 Points
5906 Points (36%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 20910     avg: 21774     median: 21165 (15%)     max: 24966 Points
min: 7308     avg: 10403     median: 10844 (8%)     max: 11200 Points
22527 Points (16%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 27271     avg: 27498     median: 27479.5 (19%)     max: 27762 Points
51%
1 6500U +
min: 9374     avg: 13463     median: 13885.5 (10%)     max: 14377 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 7217     avg: 7316     median: 7313 (9%)     max: 7421 Points
87%
1 6500U +
min: 6209     avg: 6418     median: 6352.5 (8%)     max: 7220 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 210.3     avg: 229.7     median: 224.7 (3%)     max: 296.6 s
min: 476     avg: 509     median: 517 (6%)     max: 540 s
326 s (4%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 6.434     avg: 7.4     median: 7.3 (1%)     max: 9.5 s
min: 15     avg: 15.7     median: 15.7 (3%)     max: 16.53 s
10.2 s (2%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
min: 5314     avg: 5369     median: 5314 (8%)     max: 5480 Points
min: 2355     avg: 2550     median: 2482 (4%)     max: 2813 Points
4274 Points (7%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 43.9     avg: 45.1     median: 44.1 (15%)     max: 50 fps
min: 18.13     avg: 20.1     median: 20.4 (7%)     max: 21 fps
45.3 fps (16%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 160.9     avg: 171.4     median: 165.9 (38%)     max: 190 fps
min: 99.5     avg: 105.5     median: 105 (24%)     max: 110.7 fps
176.5 fps (41%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.311     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.477 GB/s
min: 0.181     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.191 GB/s
0.4 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.503     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (12%)     max: 0.803 GB/s
min: 0.262     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (6%)     max: 0.322 GB/s
0.7 GB/s (13%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 2.1     avg: 3.9     median: 3.9 (10%)     max: 4.6 GB/s
min: 1.8     avg: 1.8     median: 1.8 (5%)     max: 1.9 GB/s
4.2 GB/s (11%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 7234     avg: 7601     median: 7410 (16%)     max: 8697 Points
min: 3214     avg: 4112     median: 4231 (9%)     max: 4283 Points
7807 Points (17%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 9     avg: 10     median: 10.3 (2%)     max: 10.63 s
min: 12     avg: 12.4     median: 12.2 (3%)     max: 13.2 s
10.2 s (2%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 20     avg: 22.3     median: 23 (1%)     max: 23.39 s
min: 27     avg: 28.1     median: 28 (1%)     max: 29.7 s
22.9 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 486.7     avg: 532     median: 535.5 (2%)     max: 572 s
min: 615     avg: 653     median: 653.5 (3%)     max: 690 s
559 s (2%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 26017     avg: 26256     median: 26272 (23%)     max: 26478 Points
min: 8291     avg: 11139     median: 11639 (10%)     max: 11851 Points
25990 Points (23%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 8220     avg: 9612     median: 9468 (26%)     max: 10925 Points
min: 3079     avg: 4223     median: 4243.5 (11%)     max: 5008 Points
8791 Points (24%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 43579     avg: 49276     median: 47533.5 (39%)     max: 58061 Points
76%
1 6500U +
min: 22594     avg: 35503     median: 36182 (29%)     max: 41441 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 43592     avg: 49506     median: 47817 (39%)     max: 56227 Points
74%
1 6500U +
min: 22961     avg: 35023     median: 35351 (29%)     max: 40997 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 6820HK +
min: 45688     avg: 49381     median: 47727 (40%)     max: 55770 Points
80%
1 6500U +
min: 25957     avg: 37163     median: 38156 (32%)     max: 43183 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 6663     avg: 7660     median: 7388 (19%)     max: 8824 Points
min: 1843     avg: 3309     median: 3415 (9%)     max: 3595 Points
7239 Points (18%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 9695     avg: 10672     median: 10219 (18%)     max: 12239 Points
min: 2990     avg: 4778     median: 4905 (9%)     max: 5069 Points
10016 Points (18%)
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
100%
1 6820HK +
4069 Points (17%)
45%
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
116%
1 6920HQ +
4484 Points (61%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6500U +
min: 6721     avg: 7191     median: 7303 (18%)     max: 7550 Points
194%
1 6920HQ +
14147 Points (34%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
13486 Points (24%)
min: 6092     avg: 6472     median: 6488.5 (12%)     max: 6904 Points
13821 Points (25%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
3819 Points (75%)
min: 2800     avg: 3012     median: 2997.5 (59%)     max: 3278 Points
3646 Points (71%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
14128 Points (22%)
min: 6403     avg: 6728     median: 6728 (11%)     max: 7053 Points
14513 Points (23%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
3983 Points (60%)
min: 2902     avg: 3146     median: 3145.5 (47%)     max: 3389 Points
3814 Points (57%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 6500U +
7572 Points (20%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 923     avg: 1122     median: 966.5 (1%)     max: 1631 ms
min: 1081     avg: 1230     median: 1133 (1%)     max: 2127 ms
972 ms (1%)
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
min: 65.7     avg: 78.8     median: 69.8 (1%)     max: 95.8 ms
min: 80.2     avg: 88.3     median: 85.9 (1%)     max: 110.4 ms
70.7 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 16177     avg: 34771     median: 36903 (33%)     max: 44322 Points
min: 15973     avg: 30117     median: 31016 (28%)     max: 33275 Points
39548 Points (36%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6820HK → 100% n=29

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6500U → 68% n=29

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6920HQ → 101% n=29

- 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. 13:44:38

#0 checking url part for id 6974 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 6968 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 6976 +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 +0.038s ... 0.039s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.039s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 6974 +0.003s ... 0.042s

#8 got single benchmarks 6974 +0.082s ... 0.123s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 6968 +0.004s ... 0.127s

#10 got single benchmarks 6968 +0.19s ... 0.317s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 6976 +0.003s ... 0.319s

#12 got single benchmarks 6976 +0.009s ... 0.329s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.329s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.334s ... 0.663s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.663s

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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)