Core i7-6900K vs Xeon D-1733NT

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 i7-6900K vs Xeon D-1733NT 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 i7-6900K vs Xeon D-1733NT: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6900K

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,682 vs 14,849).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.5 vs 49.5 PassMark/$ ($1,089 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
❌164.2% higher power demand at 140W vs 53W.

Xeon D-1733NT

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $789 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $1,089 MSRP).
✅Delivers 267.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 49.5 vs 13.5 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $1,089 MSRP).
✅Draws 53W instead of 140W, a 87W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-6900K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1733NT better than Core i7-6900K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon D-1733NT makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6900K is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1733NT is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon D-1733NT is the better buy right now. Xeon D-1733NT comes in $789 cheaper on MSRP at $300 MSRP versus $1,089 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-6900K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 267.1% better value on MSRP (49.5 vs 13.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon D-1733NT makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6900K vs Xeon D-1733NT Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6900K

The Core i7-6900K 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 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: 14,682 points. Launch price was $1,020.

Xeon D-1733NT

The Xeon D-1733NT is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2227. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,849 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6900K and Xeon D-1733NT share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6900K versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon D-1733NT — a 25.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-6900K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-6900K is built on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-6900K scores 14,682 against the Xeon D-1733NT's 14,849 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon D-1733NT. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i7-6900K vs 15 MB on the Xeon D-1733NT.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Xeon D-1733NT
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4 GHz+29%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+33%	15 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Broadwell-E (2016)	—
PassMark	14,682	14,849+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,273	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,591	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6900K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon D-1733NT uses FCBGA2227 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Xeon D-1733NT
Socket	LGA2011	FCBGA2227
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6900K) / not specified (Xeon D-1733NT). Primary use case: Core i7-6900K targets High-End Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Xeon D-1733NT
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	High-End Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6900K was priced at $1089, while the Xeon D-1733NT came in at $300. On launch pricing ($1089 vs $300), Xeon D-1733NT was $789 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6900K delivers 13.5 pts/$ vs 49.5 pts/$ for the Xeon D-1733NT — making the Xeon D-1733NT the 114.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6900K	Xeon D-1733NT
MSRP	$1089	$300-72%
Performance per Dollar	13.5	49.5+267%
Release Date	2016	2022

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