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Intel Core i7-8650U vs Intel Core i7-6820HQ vs Intel Core i7-6870HQ

Intel Core i7-8650U

► remove from comparison Intel i7-8650U

The Intel Core i7-8650U is a power efficient quad-core SoC for notebooks and Ultrabooks based on the Kaby Lake Refresh generation and was announced in August 2017. Contrary to its direct predecessor the Core i7-7600U, which were still dual-cores, the i7-8650U is equipped with four cores but at a lower base frequency of 1.9 GHz. The Turbo Boost can go up to 4,2 GHz and therefore also offer good short term single core speeds. The GPU is now named Intel UHD Graphics 620 but otherwise identical to the Intel HD Graphics 620. The integrated memory controller supports DDR4-2400 / LPDDR3-2133 and dual channel memory.

Architecture

Intel basically uses the same micro architecture compared to Skylake, so the per-MHz performance does not differ. The manufacturer only reworked the Speed Shift technology for faster dynamic adjustments of voltages and clocks, and the improved 14nm process allows much higher frequencies combined with better efficiency than before.

Performance

According to Intel, the new quad core models are up to 40% faster than their dual core predecessors. Due to the reduced TDP and the same 14nm+ process, the long term performance and throttling behaviour will be interesting and depending on the laptop design. Therefore, the older 35 Watt quad-core models should be faster in applications that demand longer CPU loads. The performance however is highly depending on the TDP settings and cooling solution of the laptop. Especially, longer loads will show varying results in different laptops.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 (Intel Gen 9.5) is untouched from the 8th Gen Kaby Lake chips. With fast dual-channel memory it can reach the performance of a dedicated GeForce 920M.

Contrary to Skylake, Kaby lake now also supports H.265/HEVC Main 10 with a 10-bit color depth as well as Google's VP9 codec. The dual-core Kaby Lake processors announced in January should also support HDCP 2.2.

Power Consumption

The chip is manufactured in an improved 14nm process with FinFET transistors (14nm+), the same as the 7th Gen Kaby Lake processors. Intel still specifies the TDP with 15 Watts, which is typical for ULV chips. Depending on the usage scenario, the TDP can vary between 7.5 (cTDP Down) and 25 Watts.

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.

ModelIntel Core i7-8650UIntel Core i7-6820HQIntel Core i7-6870HQ
SeriesIntel Kaby Lake RefreshIntel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameKaby Lake RefreshSkylakeSkylake
Series: Core i7 Skylake
Intel Core i7-8650U « 1.9 - 4.2 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8550U1.8 - 4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8350U1.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8250U1.6 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i3-8130U2.2 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Pentium Gold 4417U2.3 GHz2 / 4 cores2 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 i7-6820HQ « 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
Clock1900 - 4200 MHz2700 - 3600 MHz2700 - 3600 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache8 MB8 MB8 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 84 / 84 / 8
TDP15 Watt45 Watt45 Watt
Technology14 nm14 nm14 nm
SocketBGA1356BGABGA
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR4 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, TXTDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI, TXT
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 620 (300 - 1150 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 530 (350 - 1050 MHz)Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 (350 - 1000 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$409 U.S.$378 U.S.$434 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
Die Size122 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 451     avg: 589     median: 605 (4%)     max: 675 Points
116%
1 6820HQ +
min: 699     avg: 703     median: 704 (4%)     max: 706 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 128     avg: 165     median: 169 (51%)     max: 178 Points
91%
1 6820HQ +
min: 149     avg: 152     median: 153 (46%)     max: 154 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 5.04     avg: 6.4     median: 6.8 (9%)     max: 7.24 Points
112%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7.63     avg: 7.7     median: 7.7 (10%)     max: 7.7 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 1.67     avg: 1.9     median: 1.9 (48%)     max: 2.04 Points
90%
1 6820HQ +
min: 1.7     avg: 1.7     median: 1.7 (43%)     max: 1.74 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 5307     avg: 6337     median: 6629 (40%)     max: 6782 Points
82%
1 6820HQ +
min: 5401     avg: 5470     median: 5429 (33%)     max: 5580 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 16227     avg: 18738     median: 18635 (14%)     max: 21455 Points
112%
1 6820HQ +
min: 20682     avg: 20876     median: 20868 (15%)     max: 21079 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
21677 Points (15%)
126%
1 6820HQ +
min: 27072     avg: 27217     median: 27217 (19%)     max: 27362 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
6864 Points (8%)
102%
1 6820HQ +
min: 6965     avg: 6978     median: 6978 (8%)     max: 6991 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 268.3     avg: 301.9     median: 302.8 (4%)     max: 334.6 s
101%
1 6820HQ +
min: 230.8     avg: 235.9     median: 235.9 (3%)     max: 241 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 8.636     avg: 9.6     median: 9.9 (2%)     max: 10.28 s
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7.77     avg: 7.9     median: 7.9 (2%)     max: 8.03 s
wPrime 1.55 - wPrime 1.55 1024m *
413.8 s (2%)
wPrime 1.55 - wPrime 1.55 32m *
10.3 s (5%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
min: 4140     avg: 4423     median: 4319 (7%)     max: 4915 Points
84%
1 6820HQ +
min: 3187     avg: 3642     median: 3642 (6%)     max: 4097 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 35     avg: 39.1     median: 39.8 (14%)     max: 41.98 fps
111%
1 6820HQ +
min: 44     avg: 44.2     median: 44.2 (15%)     max: 44.3 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 149     avg: 165.4     median: 169.6 (39%)     max: 173.2 fps
97%
1 6820HQ +
min: 160.9     avg: 164     median: 164 (38%)     max: 167 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.393     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.444 GB/s
90%
1 6820HQ +
min: 0.386     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.41 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.662     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (12%)     max: 0.733 GB/s
94%
1 6820HQ +
min: 0.665     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (12%)     max: 0.69 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 3.9     avg: 4.2     median: 4.3 (11%)     max: 4.4 GB/s
91%
1 6820HQ +
3.9 GB/s (10%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 4487     avg: 6716     median: 6936 (15%)     max: 7939 Points
99%
1 6820HQ +
min: 6835     avg: 7008     median: 6866 (15%)     max: 7323 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 8     avg: 8.6     median: 8.8 (2%)     max: 9 s
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 10     avg: 10.5     median: 10.5 (2%)     max: 10.99 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 19     avg: 19.7     median: 20 (1%)     max: 20.1 s
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 23     avg: 23.6     median: 23.6 (1%)     max: 24.1 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 501     avg: 513     median: 508 (2%)     max: 542 s
100%
1 6820HQ +
min: 561     avg: 571     median: 571 (3%)     max: 581 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
19125 Points (17%)
132%
1 6820HQ +
min: 24707     avg: 25336     median: 25336 (22%)     max: 25965 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 5168     avg: 7106     median: 6863 (19%)     max: 8887 Points
142%
1 6820HQ +
min: 8943     avg: 9524     median: 9731 (26%)     max: 9897 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 39040     avg: 42198     median: 41275 (34%)     max: 47797 Points
97%
1 6820HQ +
min: 39574     avg: 39915     median: 39915 (32%)     max: 40256 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
min: 41011     avg: 43029     median: 41405.5 (34%)     max: 48293 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 44090     avg: 52920     median: 56455 (48%)     max: 58675 Points
87%
1 6820HQ +
48991 Points (41%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 4442     avg: 5935     median: 6089 (15%)     max: 7416 Points
121%
1 6820HQ +
min: 7287     avg: 7356     median: 7350 (19%)     max: 7431 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 6823     avg: 8895     median: 9167 (16%)     max: 10541 Points
110%
1 6820HQ +
min: 9944     avg: 10113     median: 10096 (18%)     max: 10300 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
min: 2685     avg: 3010     median: 2876 (12%)     max: 3569 Points
141%
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%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6820HQ +
3668 Points (72%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6820HQ +
13856 Points (22%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6820HQ +
3849 Points (58%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 809     avg: 1126     median: 1076.5 (1%)     max: 1912 ms
99%
1 6820HQ +
1834 ms (2%)
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
min: 63.8     avg: 74.2     median: 74.4 (1%)     max: 83.1 ms
100%
1 6820HQ +
84.2 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 11491     avg: 31341     median: 33906 (30%)     max: 42822 Points
57%
1 6820HQ +
19404 Points (17%)
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
227 Points (47%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6820HQ +
77.8 Watt (13%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6820HQ +
35.9 Watt (7%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
100%
1 6820HQ +
19.6 Points per Watt (15%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-8650U → 0% n=

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6820HQ → 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. 21:04:39

#0 checking url part for id 9212 +0s ... 0s

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#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 +0.085s ... 0.086s

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#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 9212 +0.003s ... 0.09s

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#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.245s ... 0.415s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.415s

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