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Intel Core i7-6970HQ

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.

SeriesIntel Core i7
CodenameSkylake

Series: Core i7 Skylake

Intel Core i7-6920HQ compare2.9 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6970HQ « 2.8 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6870HQ compare2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6820HK compare2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6820HQ compare2.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6770HQ compare2.6 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6700HQ compare2.6 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6567U compare3.3 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6600U compare2.6 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6650U compare2.2 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6560U compare2.2 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-6500U compare2.5 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock Rate2800 - 3700 MHz
Level 1 Cache256 KB
Level 2 Cache1 MB
Level 3 Cache8 MB
Number of Cores / Threads4 / 8
Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power)45 Watt
Manufacturing Technology14 nm
Max. Temperature100 °C
SocketBGA
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI, TXT
GPUIntel Iris Pro Graphics 580 (350 - 1050 MHz)
64 Bit64 Bit support
Architecturex86
Starting Price$623 U.S.
Announcement Date01/24/2016
Product Link (external)ark.intel.com

Benchmarks

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance

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v1.26
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Other CPUs of the series Core i7

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» Intel Core i7-6920HQ
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» Intel Core i7-5950HQ
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» Intel Core i7-4930MX
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» Intel Core i7-6970HQ
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» Intel Core i7-6870HQ
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» Intel Core i7-4980HQ
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» Intel Core i7-5700HQ
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» Intel Core i7-6820HK
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» Intel Core i7-6820HQ
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» Intel Core i7-6770HQ
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» Intel Core i7-4900MQ
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» Intel Core i7-4960HQ
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   4x 2.4 GHz - 3.6 GHz
» Intel Core i7-4720HQ
   4x 2.6 GHz - 3.6 GHz
» Intel Core i7-3840QM
   4x 2.8 GHz - 3.8 GHz
» Intel Core i7-4850HQ
   4x 2.3 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i7-4710HQ
   4x 2.5 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i7-4710MQ
   4x 2.5 GHz - 3.5 GHz
» Intel Core i7-8565U
   4x 1.8 GHz - 4.6 GHz
» Intel Core i7-4770HQ
   4x 2.2 GHz - 3.4 GHz
» Intel Core i7-3820QM
   4x 2.7 GHz - 3.7 GHz
» Intel Core i7-3740QM
   4x 2.7 GHz - 3.7 GHz
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   4x 2.6 GHz - 3.6 GHz
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» Intel Core i7-620UM
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Surrounding CPUs

+ Intel Core i7-6920HQ
   4x 2.9 GHz - 3.8 GHz
+ Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5
   4x 2.9 GHz - 3.8 GHz
+ Intel Core i7-5950HQ
   4x 2.9 GHz - 3.8 GHz
+ Intel Core i7-4930MX
   4x 3 GHz - 3.9 GHz
+ Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5
   4x 2.9 GHz - 3.8 GHz
» Intel Core i7-6970HQ
   4x 2.8 GHz - 3.7 GHz
- Intel Core i7-7700HQ
   4x 2.8 GHz - 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i5-8305G
   4x 2.8 GHz - 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i7-8557U
   4x 1.7 GHz - 4.5 GHz
- Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5
   4x 2.8 GHz - 3.7 GHz
- Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5
   4x 2.8 GHz - 3.7 GHz
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Notebook Processors > Intel Core i7 > Intel Core i7 6970HQ Notebook Processor
Klaus Hinum, 2016-05- 4 (Update: 2016-05- 4)