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Intel Core i7-8650U vs Intel Core i7-6650U vs Intel Core i7-6700HQ

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 i7-6650U

► remove from comparison Intel 6650U

The Intel Core i7-6650U 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 (besides the i7-6600U) and can be found in ultrabooks as well as normal notebooks. In addition to two CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 2.2 - 3.4 GHz (2 cores: max. 3.2 GHz), the chip also integrates an Iris Graphics 540 GPU with 64 MB of dedicated eDRAM memory 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").

Furthermore, the organisation of the eDRAM cache has been modified. Instead of acting like a victim cache, which has to be adressed via the L3/LLC, the eDRAM can now be adressed directly by programms just like the main memory. The size is still 128 MB for the quad-core models (4C + GT4e), while the dual-core chips (2C + GT3e) only offer 64 MB.

Performance

According to the specified clock rates and the improved architecture, the Core i7-6650U 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 Iris Graphics 540 represents the "GT3e" version of the Skylake GPU (Intel Gen. 9). The 48 Execution Units, also called EUs, are clocked at 300 - 1050 MHz and offer (thanks to the fast eDRAM cache) a performance sligthly above a dedicated GeForce 920M. 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 Iris Graphics 540.

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 9.5 watts (cTDP down), reducing both heat dissipation and performance and allowing even more compact designs.

Intel Core i7-6700HQ

► remove from comparison Intel 6700HQ

The Intel Core i7-6700HQ 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 2.6 - 3.5 GHz (4 cores: max. 3.1 GHz, 2 cores: max. 3.3 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 i7-6700HQ performs roughly on par with the former, somewhat higher clocked Core i7-4900MQ or i7-4810MQ (Haswell). Under long-lasting full load, the Skylake chip will take the lead over 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 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.

ModelIntel Core i7-8650UIntel Core i7-6650UIntel Core i7-6700HQ
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 i7-6820HQ2.7 - 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 i7-6650U « 2.2 - 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 i7-6700HQ « 2.6 - 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 MHz2200 - 3400 MHz2600 - 3500 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB128 KB256 KB
L2 Cache1 MB512 KB1 MB
L3 Cache8 MB4 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 82 / 44 / 8
TDP15 Watt15 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, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI, vPro, TXTDual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 620 (300 - 1150 MHz)Intel Iris Graphics 540 (300 - 1050 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 530 (350 - 1050 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$409 U.S.$415 U.S.$378 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
Die Size122 mm2

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 451     avg: 589     median: 605 (4%)     max: 675 Points
342 Points (2%)
min: 586     avg: 671     median: 676 (4%)     max: 689 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 128     avg: 165     median: 169 (51%)     max: 178 Points
132 Points (40%)
min: 113     avg: 142.2     median: 144 (43%)     max: 150 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
3.8 Points (5%)
min: 6.56     avg: 7.4     median: 7.4 (10%)     max: 7.52 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
1.5 Points (38%)
min: 1.2     avg: 1.6     median: 1.6 (41%)     max: 1.7 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 5307     avg: 6337     median: 6629 (40%)     max: 6782 Points
5223 Points (32%)
min: 4104     avg: 5328     median: 5419 (33%)     max: 5550 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 16227     avg: 18738     median: 18635 (14%)     max: 21455 Points
11564 Points (8%)
min: 18994     avg: 20191     median: 20190 (15%)     max: 20639 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
21677 Points (15%)
14833 Points (10%)
min: 20383     avg: 26108     median: 26393 (18%)     max: 26950 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
6864 Points (8%)
6787 Points (8%)
min: 5208     avg: 6814     median: 6997.5 (9%)     max: 7206 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 268.3     avg: 301.9     median: 302.8 (4%)     max: 334.6 s
445.6 s (5%)
min: 229.3     avg: 261     median: 233.1 (3%)     max: 382 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 8.636     avg: 9.6     median: 9.9 (2%)     max: 10.28 s
14.9 s (3%)
min: 7.473     avg: 8.4     median: 7.7 (2%)     max: 11.9 s
wPrime 1.55 - wPrime 1.55 1024m *
413.8 s (2%)
101%
1 6700HQ +
min: 229.7     avg: 231.9     median: 232.8 (1%)     max: 233.1 s
wPrime 1.55 - wPrime 1.55 32m *
10.3 s (5%)
101%
1 6700HQ +
min: 7.555     avg: 7.8     median: 7.8 (4%)     max: 8.202 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
min: 4140     avg: 4423     median: 4319 (7%)     max: 4915 Points
107%
1 6700HQ +
min: 3695     avg: 4457     median: 4618 (7%)     max: 4950 Points
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 22392     avg: 22734     median: 22733.5 (13%)     max: 23075 MIPS
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 5040     avg: 5114     median: 5113.5 (61%)     max: 5187 MIPS
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 35     avg: 39.1     median: 39.8 (14%)     max: 41.98 fps
106%
1 6700HQ +
min: 35.9     avg: 41.9     median: 42 (15%)     max: 43 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 149     avg: 165.4     median: 169.6 (39%)     max: 173.2 fps
93%
1 6700HQ +
min: 137.6     avg: 155.7     median: 157.5 (36%)     max: 162.4 fps
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
100%
1 6700HQ +
5.4 fps (10%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.393     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.444 GB/s
0.2 GB/s (0%)
min: 0.319     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.393 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.662     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (12%)     max: 0.733 GB/s
0.3 GB/s (6%)
min: 0.543     avg: 0.6     median: 0.7 (11%)     max: 0.667 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 3.9     avg: 4.2     median: 4.3 (11%)     max: 4.4 GB/s
2 GB/s (5%)
min: 2.9     avg: 3.7     median: 3.8 (10%)     max: 3.8 GB/s
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
100%
1 6700HQ +
674 Seconds (5%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 4487     avg: 6716     median: 6936 (15%)     max: 7939 Points
102%
1 6700HQ +
min: 5373     avg: 6975     median: 7092 (15%)     max: 7205 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
11.7 s (3%)
min: 10     avg: 11.1     median: 10.9 (2%)     max: 12.81 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
26.3 s (1%)
min: 23.84     avg: 24.8     median: 24.2 (1%)     max: 28.07 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
613 s (3%)
min: 545     avg: 578     median: 565 (3%)     max: 658 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
19125 Points (17%)
129%
1 6700HQ +
min: 23076     avg: 24458     median: 24728.5 (22%)     max: 25285 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 5168     avg: 7106     median: 6863 (19%)     max: 8887 Points
4919 Points (13%)
min: 6170     avg: 8251     median: 8508 (23%)     max: 9176 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 39040     avg: 42198     median: 41275 (34%)     max: 47797 Points
44259 Points (36%)
min: 23589     avg: 40950     median: 41481 (34%)     max: 46650 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
min: 41011     avg: 43029     median: 41405.5 (34%)     max: 48293 Points
43694 Points (35%)
min: 25914     avg: 40703     median: 41224 (33%)     max: 46052 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 44090     avg: 52920     median: 56455 (48%)     max: 58675 Points
44857 Points (38%)
min: 37657     avg: 45098     median: 45682 (38%)     max: 48010 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 4442     avg: 5935     median: 6089 (15%)     max: 7416 Points
3639 Points (9%)
min: 3465     avg: 6810     median: 6916 (17%)     max: 7202 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 6823     avg: 8895     median: 9167 (16%)     max: 10541 Points
5372 Points (10%)
min: 5271     avg: 9540     median: 9633 (17%)     max: 9917 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
min: 2685     avg: 3010     median: 2876 (12%)     max: 3569 Points
132%
1 6700HQ +
min: 3246     avg: 3715     median: 3791.5 (16%)     max: 3965 Points
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 3663     avg: 4114     median: 4234 (58%)     max: 4326 Points
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 11033     avg: 12421     median: 12796.5 (31%)     max: 13058 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 10698     avg: 12432     median: 12733.5 (23%)     max: 13065 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 2853     avg: 3352     median: 3422 (67%)     max: 3696 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 12486     avg: 13197     median: 13122.5 (21%)     max: 14057 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 3291     avg: 3611     median: 3623 (54%)     max: 3906 Points
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Stream
100%
1 6700HQ +
8575 Points (69%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
100%
1 6700HQ +
8107 Points (74%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
100%
1 6700HQ +
18111 Points (35%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
100%
1 6700HQ +
10046 Points (20%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 6700HQ +
12333 Points (32%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 809     avg: 1126     median: 1076.5 (1%)     max: 1912 ms
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 899     avg: 1088     median: 1009.5 (1%)     max: 1904 ms
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
min: 63.8     avg: 74.2     median: 74.4 (1%)     max: 83.1 ms
100%
1 6700HQ +
min: 71.8     avg: 84.8     median: 77.8 (1%)     max: 160.5 ms
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 11491     avg: 31341     median: 33906 (30%)     max: 42822 Points
107%
1 6700HQ +
min: 18466     avg: 34918     median: 36290 (33%)     max: 39235 Points
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
227 Points (47%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6700HQ +
67.1 Watt (12%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 6700HQ +
52.5 Watt (10%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-8650U → 100% n=22

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6650U → 77% n=22

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-6700HQ → 100% n=22

- 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

v1.27
log 17. 06:01:40

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

#1 checking url part for id 7045 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 6973 +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 Sun, 16 Jun 2024 05:37:17 +0200 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.042s ... 0.043s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.043s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 9212 +0.003s ... 0.046s

#8 got single benchmarks 9212 +0.044s ... 0.091s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 7045 +0.003s ... 0.094s

#10 got single benchmarks 7045 +0.007s ... 0.1s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 6973 +0.004s ... 0.104s

#12 got single benchmarks 6973 +0.396s ... 0.5s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.5s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.524s ... 1.025s

#15 return log +0s ... 1.025s

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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)