Core i7-6950X vs Core Ultra 7 255U
Core i7-6950X
Core Ultra 7 255U
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6950X
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 255U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-6950X | Core Ultra 7 255U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-E (2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-U (2025) / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-6950X | Core Ultra 7 255U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ 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 i7-6950X and Core Ultra 7 255U
Core i7-6950X
The Core i7-6950X 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 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,580 points. Launch price was $1,723.
Core Ultra 7 255U
The Core Ultra 7 255U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,834 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i7-6950X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 255U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6950X versus 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255U — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255U (base: 3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-6950X uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 255U uses Arrow Lake-U (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6950X scores 17,580 against the Core Ultra 7 255U's 17,834 — a 1.4% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255U. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-6950X vs 12 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255U.
| Feature | Core i7-6950X | Core Ultra 7 255U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20 | 12 / 14+20% |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz | 5.2 GHz+30% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.8 GHz+27% |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total)+108% | 12 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | — |
| Process | 14 nm | 5 nm-64% |
| Architecture | Broadwell-E (2016) | Arrow Lake-U (2025) |
| PassMark | 17,580 | 17,834+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-6950X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 7 255U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-6950X | Core Ultra 7 255U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | FCBGA2049 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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