Core i7-6850K vs Core Ultra 5 115U

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 i7-6850K vs Core Ultra 5 115U 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 i7-6850K vs Core Ultra 5 115U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6850K

2016

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,376 vs 11,518).
❌Launch MSRP is still $617 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 115U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 115U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 115U

2023

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 115U better than Core i7-6850K?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 115U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% 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 Ultra 5 115U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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 Ultra 5 115U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 10 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 115U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core Ultra 5 115U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $617 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6850K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 5 115U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2016), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 10 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-6850K vs Core Ultra 5 115U Technical Specifications

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

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 Ultra 5 115U

The Core Ultra 5 115U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 10 MB. Memory support: DDR5 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 11,518 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6850K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 115U offers 8 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 5 115U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6850K versus 4.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 115U (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i7-6850K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 115U uses Meteor Lake (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6850K scores 11,376 against the Core Ultra 5 115U's 11,518 — a 1.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 115U. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6850K vs 10 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 115U.

Feature	Core i7-6850K	Core Ultra 5 115U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 10+33%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.2 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+140%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+50%	10 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+700%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Broadwell-E (2016)	Meteor Lake (2023)
PassMark	11,376	11,518+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,500	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6850K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 115U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6850K	Core Ultra 5 115U
Socket	LGA2011	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—