Core i7-10850H vs Core i7-6850K
Core i7-10850H
Core i7-6850K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-10850H is positioned at rank 712 and the Core i7-6850K is on rank 827, so the Core i7-10850H offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-10850H
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6850K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-10850H | Core i7-6850K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($395) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake-H (2020) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-E (2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-10850H | Core i7-6850K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+385%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($395) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-10850H and Core i7-6850K
Core i7-10850H
The Core i7-10850H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,591 points. Launch price was $395.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-10850H and Core i7-6850K share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10850H versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-6850K — a 20.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-10850H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-10850H uses the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6850K uses Broadwell-E (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10850H scores 11,591 against the Core i7-6850K's 11,376 — a 1.9% lead for the Core i7-10850H. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-10850H vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6850K.
| Feature | Core i7-10850H | Core i7-6850K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz+23% | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.6 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 15 MB (total)+88% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Comet Lake-H (2020) | Broadwell-E (2016) |
| PassMark | 11,591+2% | 11,376 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,440 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 5,500 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-10850H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6850K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-10850H) vs 4 (Core i7-6850K). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-10850H) vs 40 (Core i7-6850K) — the Core i7-6850K offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Mobile (Core i7-10850H) and X99 (Core i7-6850K).
| Feature | Core i7-10850H | Core i7-6850K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-10850H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-6850K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6850K targets HEDT.
| Feature | Core i7-10850H | Core i7-6850K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | None |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | HEDT |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-10850H launched at $395 MSRP, while the Core i7-6850K debuted at $617.
| Feature | Core i7-10850H | Core i7-6850K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $395-36% | $617 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $80 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2016 |
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