Core i3-1315U vs Core i7-6850K

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1315U vs Core i7-6850K FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1315U vs Core i7-6850K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1315U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,248 vs 11,376).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 15 MB).

Core i7-6850K

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-1315U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $617 MSRP, while Core i3-1315U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌833.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core i3-1315U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1315U better than Core i7-6850K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-1315U is ahead with a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6850K pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-6850K also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6850K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1315U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1315U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $617 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6850K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1315U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2016) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1315U vs Core i7-6850K Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1315U

The Core i3-1315U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 11,248 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i7-6850K

The Core i7-6850K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,376 points. Launch price was $475.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1315U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i7-6850K's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-1315U versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-6850K — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-1315U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-1315U uses the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-6850K uses Broadwell-E (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1315U scores 11,248 against the Core i7-6850K's 11,376 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-6850K. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1315U vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6850K.

Feature	Core i3-1315U	Core i7-6850K
Cores / Threads	6 / 8	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+13%	4 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+200%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U (2023)	Broadwell-E (2016)
PassMark	11,248	11,376+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,200
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,500

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1315U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-6850K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1315U	Core i7-6850K
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	40