Core i7-6850K vs Core i7-10850H

CPU

GPU

Core i7-6850K

6 Cores12 Thrd140 WWMax: 4 GHz2016

Core i7-10850H

6 Cores12 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-6850K

6 / 12

11,376

0.0%

11,591

+1.9%

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 i7-10850H is on rank 712, so the Core i7-10850H offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6850K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

16904%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

15973%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

11598%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3494%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2768%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2421%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1387%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1369%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1246%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1246%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1232%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1199%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1182%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1177%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1167%

#295

Core i9-7940X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $275

99%

#827

Core i7-6850K

MSRP: $617|Avg: $80

100%

#828

Core i5-2500K

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

100%

#829

Pentium G3430

MSRP: $116|Avg: $30

99%

#830

Core i5-4570R

MSRP: $250|Avg: $20

99%

#831

Pentium E5400

MSRP: $55|Avg: $49

99%

#832

A6-3650

MSRP: $115|Avg: $20

99%

#833

Core i7-4770R

MSRP: $360|Avg: $89

99%

#835

Core i7-2600

MSRP: $294|Avg: $50

99%

#836

Pentium G870

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#837

Athlon II X2 210e

MSRP: $60|Avg: $28

98%

#838

Pentium G645

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

98%

#840

Pentium G630

MSRP: $75|Avg: $46

98%

#841

Core i5-2550K

MSRP: $235|Avg: $46

98%

#842

Athlon II X4 600e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-10850H

#700

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1000%

#701

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

985%

#702

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

905%

#703

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

900%

#704

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

892%

#706

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

862%

#707

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

826%

#708

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

825%

#709

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

803%

#712

Core i7-10850H

MSRP: $395|Avg: N/A

100%

#718

Core i3-1315UE

MSRP: $312|Avg: $250

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-10850H (2020) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-6850K	Core i7-10850H
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($80)	⚠️ Higher cost ($395)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-E (2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Comet Lake-H (2020) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-6850K (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-6850K	Core i7-10850H
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+385%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($80)	⚠️ Higher cost ($395)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i7-6850K Benchmark Check

Core i7-10850H Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-6850K and Core i7-10850H

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 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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6850K and Core i7-10850H share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6850K versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10850H — a 20.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-10850H (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-6850K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-10850H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6850K scores 11,376 against the Core i7-10850H's 11,591 — a 1.9% lead for the Core i7-10850H. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6850K vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-10850H.

Feature	Core i7-6850K	Core i7-10850H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.9 GHz+23%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+88%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-E (2016)	Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark	11,376	11,591+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,440
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,500	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6850K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10850H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. 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 i7-10850H). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-6850K) vs 16 (Core i7-10850H) — the Core i7-6850K offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X99 (Core i7-6850K) and Mobile (Core i7-10850H).

Feature	Core i7-6850K	Core i7-10850H
Socket	LGA2011	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

🔧

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.