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Intel Core i7-6820HQ vs Intel Core i7-6870HQ vs Intel Core i7-6600U

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.

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 i7-6600U

► 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.

ModelIntel Core i7-6820HQIntel Core i7-6870HQIntel Core i7-6600U
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 i7-6820HQ « 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
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 i7-6600U « 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
Clock2700 - 3600 MHz2700 - 3600 MHz2600 - 3400 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB256 KB128 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1 MB512 KB
L3 Cache8 MB8 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 84 / 82 / 4
TDP45 Watt45 Watt15 Watt
Technology14 nm14 nm14 nm
Die Size122 mm299 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketBGABGABGA
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, 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, vPro, TXT
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 530 (350 - 1050 MHz)Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 (350 - 1000 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 520 (300 - 1050 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$378 U.S.$434 U.S.$393 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 699     avg: 703     median: 704 (4%)     max: 706 Points
46%
1 6600U +
min: 306     avg: 324     median: 321 (2%)     max: 348 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 149     avg: 152     median: 153 (46%)     max: 154 Points
92%
1 6600U +
min: 118     avg: 136.6     median: 141 (42%)     max: 144 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7.63     avg: 7.7     median: 7.7 (10%)     max: 7.7 Points
47%
1 6600U +
min: 3.25     avg: 3.6     median: 3.6 (5%)     max: 3.84 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 1.7     avg: 1.7     median: 1.7 (43%)     max: 1.74 Points
94%
1 6600U +
min: 1.19     avg: 1.6     median: 1.6 (40%)     max: 1.63 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 5401     avg: 5470     median: 5429 (33%)     max: 5580 Points
98%
1 6600U +
min: 3260     avg: 5259     median: 5298 (32%)     max: 7045 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 20682     avg: 20876     median: 20868 (15%)     max: 21079 Points
54%
1 6600U +
min: 9140     avg: 11541     median: 11320 (8%)     max: 14948 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 27072     avg: 27217     median: 27217 (19%)     max: 27362 Points
53%
1 6600U +
min: 14391     avg: 14724     median: 14412 (10%)     max: 15369 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 6965     avg: 6978     median: 6978 (8%)     max: 6991 Points
99%
1 6600U +
min: 6863     avg: 7593     median: 6890 (8%)     max: 9027 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 230.8     avg: 235.9     median: 235.9 (3%)     max: 241 s
97%
1 6600U +
min: 447.3     avg: 503     median: 509 (6%)     max: 526 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7.77     avg: 7.9     median: 7.9 (2%)     max: 8.03 s
99%
1 6600U +
min: 14.08     avg: 15.3     median: 14.7 (3%)     max: 19.26 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 3187     avg: 3642     median: 3642 (6%)     max: 4097 Points
67%
1 6600U +
min: 2264     avg: 2450     median: 2449.5 (4%)     max: 2635 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 44     avg: 44.2     median: 44.2 (15%)     max: 44.3 fps
45%
1 6600U +
min: 19.52     avg: 20.8     median: 20 (7%)     max: 22.62 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 160.9     avg: 164     median: 164 (38%)     max: 167 fps
66%
1 6600U +
min: 103.7     avg: 111     median: 109 (25%)     max: 120.4 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 0.386     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.41 GB/s
50%
1 6600U +
min: 0.193     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.201 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 0.665     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (12%)     max: 0.69 GB/s
49%
1 6600U +
min: 0.317     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (6%)     max: 0.343 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 6820HQ +
3.9 GB/s (10%)
49%
1 6600U +
min: 1.9     avg: 1.9     median: 1.9 (5%)     max: 2 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 6835     avg: 7008     median: 6866 (15%)     max: 7323 Points
63%
1 6600U +
min: 4107     avg: 4334     median: 4333.5 (9%)     max: 4560 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 10     avg: 10.5     median: 10.5 (2%)     max: 10.99 s
100%
1 6600U +
min: 10.9     avg: 11.1     median: 11.1 (2%)     max: 11.35 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 23     avg: 23.6     median: 23.6 (1%)     max: 24.1 s
100%
1 6600U +
min: 24.75     avg: 25.2     median: 25.1 (1%)     max: 26.03 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 561     avg: 571     median: 571 (3%)     max: 581 s
100%
1 6600U +
min: 558     avg: 578     median: 572 (3%)     max: 610 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 24707     avg: 25336     median: 25336 (22%)     max: 25965 Points
50%
1 6600U +
12712 Points (11%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 8943     avg: 9524     median: 9731 (26%)     max: 9897 Points
47%
1 6600U +
min: 4034     avg: 4479     median: 4606.5 (12%)     max: 4780 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 39574     avg: 39915     median: 39915 (32%)     max: 40256 Points
93%
1 6600U +
min: 31340     avg: 38138     median: 37127 (30%)     max: 42543 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
1 6600U +
min: 26121     avg: 37420     median: 39364 (32%)     max: 42164 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 6820HQ +
48991 Points (41%)
88%
1 6600U +
min: 42770     avg: 43159     median: 43159 (36%)     max: 43548 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7287     avg: 7356     median: 7350 (19%)     max: 7431 Points
49%
1 6600U +
min: 3073     avg: 3543     median: 3569 (9%)     max: 3745 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 9944     avg: 10113     median: 10096 (18%)     max: 10300 Points
51%
1 6600U +
min: 4279     avg: 5086     median: 5134.5 (9%)     max: 5344 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
100%
1 6820HQ +
4047 Points (17%)
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 6820HQ +
13090 Points (23%)
51%
1 6600U +
min: 6303     avg: 6693     median: 6692.5 (12%)     max: 7082 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6820HQ +
3668 Points (72%)
88%
1 6600U +
min: 3060     avg: 3222     median: 3222 (63%)     max: 3384 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6820HQ +
13856 Points (22%)
51%
1 6600U +
min: 6618     avg: 7032     median: 7031.5 (11%)     max: 7445 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6820HQ +
3849 Points (58%)
88%
1 6600U +
min: 3191     avg: 3369     median: 3369 (50%)     max: 3547 Points
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
100%
1 6820HQ +
1834 ms (2%)
101%
1 6600U +
min: 1030     avg: 1601     median: 1048 (1%)     max: 3827 ms
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
100%
1 6820HQ +
84.2 ms (1%)
99%
1 6600U +
min: 77.3     avg: 137.8     median: 134.4 (1%)     max: 205 ms
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 6820HQ +
19404 Points (17%)
170%
1 6600U +
min: 8244     avg: 28548     median: 32986 (30%)     max: 35045 Points
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6820HQ +
77.8 Watt (13%)
110%
1 6600U +
28.9 Watt (5%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6820HQ +
35.9 Watt (7%)
102%
1 6600U +
26.2 Watt (5%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
100%
1 6820HQ +
19.6 Points per Watt (15%)
60%
1 6600U +
11.8 Points per Watt (9%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6820HQ → 0% n=

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6600U → 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. 10:14:58

#0 checking url part for id 6975 +0s ... 0s

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

#2 checking url part for id 6969 +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 +0.048s ... 0.049s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.049s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 6975 +0.003s ... 0.052s

#8 got single benchmarks 6975 +0.026s ... 0.078s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 8018 +0.003s ... 0.081s

#10 got single benchmarks 8018 +0s ... 0.082s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 6969 +0.003s ... 0.085s

#12 got single benchmarks 6969 +0.06s ... 0.146s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.146s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.322s ... 0.467s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.467s

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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)