The first benchmarks of Intel's upcoming Broadwell-E Core i7-6850K processor have been unveiled. Posted over at overclock.net forums by user "Maintenance Bot", the benchmarks pit a 14nm Broadwell-E CPU against 22nm Haswell-E which was launched back in 2014. Both chips were ran at the same clock speeds to show the overall IPC improvements.
Intel Core i7-6850K vs Core i7-5820K CPU Benchmarks Unveiled - Broadwell-E Much Faster Clock-To-Clock
The processors that were used for testing included the Core i7-6850K (Broadwell-E) and a Core i7-5820K (Haswell-E) chip. The Broadwell processors utilize the modern 14nm process node while the Haswell CPUs utilize the 22nm process node. Comparing the both chips, we don't see any major difference in the specs.
For instance, the Core i7-5820K features 6 cores, 12 threads and clock speeds of 3.3 GHz base / 3.6 GHz boost. The chip has a 140W TDP and a MSRP of $396.00 US. The Core i7-6850K features the same 6 cores and 12 thread design. The core clocks are maintained at 3.60 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost with TDPs of 140W. This chip is expected to retail around the same $450 US price range.
Both chips might look similar technically but under the die, both feature a different architecture. Broadwell on average delivers up to 10% better IPC than Haswell which leads to better performance in a number of apps that include gaming. To make the results interesting, the user overclocked both chips to 4.2 GHz and stated that he didn't go higher because that's the limit for his 5820K, suggesting that the Broadwell-E chip could go even more higher.
First thing we note is that Broadwell-E chips feature a new IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader) which cover more area compared Haswell-E IHS. On the bottom, the contact pin layout is the same although the transistors and power regulation has changed. The Broadwell-E chips are much thinner compared to Haswell-E parts with the Core i7-6850K measuring at just 1.12mm while the Core i7-5820K measures 1.87mm.
Intel Core i7-6850K vs Core i7-5820K Benchmarks:
Finally coming to the benchmarks, the user didn't post a lot of them but they are enough to give us an estimate of the IPC improvements we will be getting on Broadwell-E. Do note that these results are from an Engineering sample so final results should be a slight bit better.
In 3DMark Firestrike, the chip scores 19065 points in Physics Scores compared to 16598 points with a Core i7-5820K. Similarly, the chip gets 1311 points in Cinebench R15 benchmark while the Core i7-5820K manages just 1191 points. Both chips were clocked at 4.2 GHz, the 5820K being a retail chip was able to achieve this clock as its max overclock frequency while the Broadwell-E could be overclocked even higher provided that you have adequate cooling.
Cinebench tests of the Core i7-6900K, not to be mistaken with the 6 core 6850K.
We also would like to add benchmarks of the Core i7-6900K (stock clocks) to the mix just for comparison sake. The chip scores 1471 points in multi-threaded and 15.14 points in single threaded performance test on CB15. The Core i7-5960X has a single-threaded performance of 13.04 points in the same benchmark.
Intel Core i7-6850K vs Core i7-5820K Firestrike:
| Processor Name | Processor Clock | Firestrike Physics Score |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-6850K | 4.20 GHz | 19065 Points |
| Intel Core i7-5820K | 4.20 GHz | 16598 Points |
Intel Core i7-6850K vs Core i7-5820K CineBench:
| Processor Name | Processor Clock | CineBench R15 (Multi-Threaded) |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-6900K | 3.60 GHz | 1471 Points |
| Intel Core i7-6850K | 4.20 GHz | 1311 Points |
| Intel Core i7-5820K | 4.20 GHz | 1191 Points |
The benchmarks of the Broadwell-E processors show us some good improvement. We can just hope that they feature decent overclocking performance too. The processors have shown up on several retail sites and will be available in June 2016 (Computex). You can check out more specifications of the processors below:
Intel Core i7-6950X – The First Deca-Core, Extreme Series Processor
The Intel Core i7-6950X processor will be the flagship processor of the Broadwell-E lineup. The processor will feature 10 cores and 20 threads. The processor will run at a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a 3.50 GHz boost clock. The processor will come in an unlocked package to allow overclocking support to enthusiasts but I think Intel will be making a point with the upcoming launch, that they are not stopping at 8 cores for their HEDT family but increasing the core count even further for consumers. The processor rocks 25 MB of L3 cache (2.5 MB per core) and will be compatible with current generation X99 motherboards that feature the LGA 2011-v3 socket.
Intel Core i7-6900K – The Faster Octa Core Processor
Although the Core i7-6950X is one hell of a processor, Intel will also launch three more SKUs in the Broadwell-E lineup. This is the first time that Intel is launching four processors in an HEDT lineup but it might cover up the big price differences we have seen in the older lineups. Starting off with the Core i7-6900K which is an 8 core processor with 16 threads and has 20 MB of L3 Cache.
Intel Core i7-6850K and Core i7-6800K – Hexa Core Options For The Masses
At the bottom of the lineup, Intel will have two SKUs, the Core i7-6850K and the Core i7-6800K. Both CPUs have 6 cores and 12 threads and come with 15 MB of L3 cache but the interesting thing is that both chips are placed for the entry level enthusiasts which means these will be retailing for prices around $450 US.
The Core i7-6850K will feature a base clock of 3.60 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost while the Core i7-6800K will feature clock speeds of 3.40 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Both processors are fully compliant with the LGA 2011-3 socket and will feature support for quad channel DDR4 memory with speeds of up to 2400 MHz (O.C+).
The processors will be compatible with current generation X99 motherboards along with a barrage of new additions from EVGA, MSI, Gigabyte, ASUS and ASRock.
Intel Broadwell-E Family
| Processor Name | Intel Core i7-6950X | Intel Core i7-6900K | Intel Core i7-6850K | Intel Core i7-6800K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Process Node | 14nm | 14nm | 14nm | 14nm |
| Cores/Threads | 10/20 | 8/16 | 6/12 | 6/12 |
| Core Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz | 3.60 GHz | 3.40 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB L3 Cache | 20 MB L3 Cache | 15 MB L3 Cache | 15 MB L3 Cache |
| Unlocked Multiplier (BCLK OC) | Yes, Full Range OC | Yes, Full Range OC | Yes, Full Range OC | Yes, Full Range OC |
| Chipset | X99 | X99 | X99 | X99 |
| Socket | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2011-3 |
| PCI-E Lanes | 40 | 40 | 40 | 28 |
| Memory Support | DDR4-2400 MHz | DDR4-2400 MHz | DDR4-2400 MHz | DDR4-2400 MHz |
| TDP | 140W | 140W | 140W | 140W |
| Launch Price | $1723 US | $1089 US | $617 US | $434 US |
