Core i7-6850K vs Core i3-11100B
Core i7-6850K
Core i3-11100B
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 i7-6850K is positioned at rank 827 and the Core i3-11100B is on rank 223, so the Core i3-11100B offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6850K
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-11100B
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-6850K | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-E (2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 10 nm SuperFin) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-6850K | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i7-6850K and Core i3-11100B
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.
Core i3-11100B
The Core i3-11100B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: Up to 3200 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 11,357 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-6850K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i3-11100B offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-6850K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6850K versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-11100B — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-11100B (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-6850K is built on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-6850K scores 11,376 against the Core i3-11100B's 11,357 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-6850K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,200 vs 1,402, a 15.5% lead for the Core i3-11100B that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6850K vs 12 MB on the Core i3-11100B.
| Feature | Core i7-6850K | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz | 4.4 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB (total)+25% | 12 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 14 nm | 10 nm SuperFin-29% |
| Architecture | Broadwell-E (2016) | — |
| PassMark | 11,376 | 11,357 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,200 | 1,402+17% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 5,500 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-6850K) vs 2 (Core i3-11100B). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-6850K) vs 20 (Core i3-11100B) — the Core i7-6850K offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X99 (Core i7-6850K) and H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i3-11100B).
| Feature | Core i7-6850K | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+100% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-6850K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i3-11100B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6850K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-11100B). The Core i3-11100B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)), while the Core i7-6850K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6850K targets HEDT, Core i3-11100B targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-11100B rivals Ryzen 3 5300G.
| Feature | Core i7-6850K | Core i3-11100B |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU) |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | HEDT | Desktop |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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