Core i7-6800K vs Core i7-9700T

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 i7-6800K vs Core i7-9700T 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 i7-6800K vs Core i7-9700T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6800K

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.7 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($434 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
❌300% higher power demand at 140W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700T

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $111 less on MSRP ($323 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.9 vs 24.7 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 140W, a 105W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,618 vs 10,715).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700T better than Core i7-6800K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700T is ahead with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6800K pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-6800K also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6800K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-9700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-9700T comes in $111 cheaper on MSRP at $323 MSRP versus $434 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-6800K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 33.1% better value on MSRP (32.9 vs 24.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-9700T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6800K vs Core i7-9700T Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6800K

The Core i7-6800K 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 10,715 points. Launch price was $345.

Core i7-9700T

The Core i7-9700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,618 points. Launch price was $323.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6800K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700T offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6800K versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i7-9700T — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700T (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-6800K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9700T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6800K scores 10,715 against the Core i7-9700T's 10,618 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-6800K. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6800K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700T.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Core i7-9700T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.3 GHz+13%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+70%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+25%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-E (2016)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	10,715	10,618

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6800K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9700T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Core i7-9700T
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-6800K) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700T). The Core i7-9700T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-6800K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700T targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Core i7-9700T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6800K was priced at $434, while the Core i7-9700T came in at $323. On launch pricing ($434 vs $323), Core i7-9700T was $111 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6800K delivers 24.7 pts/$ vs 32.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700T — making the Core i7-9700T the 28.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Core i7-9700T
MSRP	$434	$323-26%
Performance per Dollar	24.7	32.9+33%
Release Date	2016	2019

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