Core i7-6700TE vs Core i7-8650U

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 i7-6700TE vs Core i7-8650U 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 i7-6700TE vs Core i7-8650U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6700TE

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Core i7-8650U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8650U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Core i7-8650U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Core i7-8650U

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,194 vs 6,203).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6700TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8650U better than Core i7-6700TE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8650U is ahead with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700TE pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-8650U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8650U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6700TE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i7-8650U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6700TE vs Core i7-8650U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6700TE

The Core i7-6700TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,203 points. Launch price was $303.

Core i7-8650U

The Core i7-8650U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,194 points. Launch price was $409.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6700TE and Core i7-8650U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6700TE versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8650U — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8650U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i7-6700TE uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8650U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700TE scores 6,203 against the Core i7-8650U's 6,194 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-6700TE. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-6700TE	Core i7-8650U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+26%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	6,203	6,194
Geekbench 6 Single	914	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,244	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8650U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6700TE	Core i7-8650U
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-6700TE) / not specified (Core i7-8650U). The Core i7-6700TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i7-8650U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6700TE targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-6700TE rivals Ryzen 5 3600.