Core i7-6800K vs Core i7-9850H

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 i7-9850H 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 i7-9850H: 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

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9850H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,715 vs 10,862).
❌Launch MSRP is still $434 MSRP, while Core i7-9850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9850H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-6800K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9850H better than Core i7-6800K?

Yes. Core i7-9850H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9850H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9850H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-9850H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-9850H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $434 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6800K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-9850H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6800K vs Core i7-9850H 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 i7-9850H

The Core i7-9850H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 10,862 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6800K and Core i7-9850H share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6800K versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-9850H — a 19% clock advantage for the Core i7-9850H (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-6800K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9850H uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6800K scores 10,715 against the Core i7-9850H's 10,862 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-9850H. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6800K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850H.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Core i7-9850H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.6 GHz+21%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+31%	2.6 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-HR (2019)
PassMark	10,715	10,862+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6800K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9850H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Core i7-9850H
Socket	LGA2011	BGA1440
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 i7-9850H). The Core i7-9850H includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-6800K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9850H targets High Performance Laptop.