Intel Core i7-6700K
The current Intel Core i7-6700K price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Intel · CPU
Retailer photo of Intel Core i7-6700K OEM/Tray. View this offer in Where to buy
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
- Cores / threads
- 4C / 8T
- Boost clock
- 4200 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 1151
- TDP
- 136 W
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: LowAt $71 the Intel Core i7-6700K is priced in line with its $71 representative market level. Only one verified new offer stands behind it, so the level can move quickly.
Consider: Intel Core i7-6800K offers stronger value around $41.Compare
Prices & availability
Intel Core i7-6700K: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
2 tracked offers · 2 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-6700K OEM/Tray | Newegg | New | $71 | 47 | 2026-11-08 | View offer → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Show the other 1 tracked offers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-6700K OEM/Tray | Amazon | Refurbished | Check on Amazon | 54 | 2026-11-09 | View offer → |
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#221 of 270 graded processors
- #218 IntelIntel Core i5-9400 5
- #219 IntelIntel Core i3-10300 5
- #220 IntelIntel Core i5-8400 5
- #221 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 5
- #222 IntelIntel Core i3-10105F 5
- #223 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 2400G 5
- #224 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 5
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#61 of 270 currently priced processors
- #58 IntelIntel Core i7-11700F 47
- #59 IntelIntel Core i5-14600K 47
- #60 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 7700X 47
- #61 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 47
- #62 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 3700X 46
- #63 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5800XT 46
- #64 IntelIntel Core i3-9300 46
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#204 of 270 graded processors
- #201 IntelIntel Core i5-9500F 54
- #202 IntelIntel Core i3-8350K 54
- #203 IntelIntel Core i3-10300 54
- #204 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 53
- #205 IntelIntel Core i3-9300 53
- #206 IntelIntel Core i5-9500 53
- #207 IntelIntel Core i5-8600 53
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#173 of 270 currently priced processors
- #170 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 31
- #171 IntelIntel Core i9-9900KS 31
- #172 IntelIntel Core i9-10900 31
- #173 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 31
- #174 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X 31
- #175 IntelIntel Core i9-10920X 31
- #176 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600X 30
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#221 of 270 graded processors
- #218 IntelIntel Core i5-9400 5
- #219 IntelIntel Core i3-10300 5
- #220 IntelIntel Core i5-8400 5
- #221 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 5
- #222 IntelIntel Core i3-10105F 5
- #223 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 2400G 5
- #224 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 5
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#218 of 270 currently priced processors
- #215 IntelIntel Core i5-4690K 20
- #216 IntelIntel Pentium Gold G7400 20
- #217 IntelIntel Core i7-8086K 20
- #218 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 19
- #219 IntelIntel Core i5-6500T 19
- #220 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 19
- #221 IntelIntel Core i5-7600K 19
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#210 of 270 graded processors
- #207 IntelIntel Core i7 Extreme 6950X 12
- #208 IntelIntel Core i7-7820X 12
- #209 IntelIntel Core i5-9600 12
- #210 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 12
- #211 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1240 V5 12
- #212 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1230 V5 12
- #213 IntelIntel Core i5-10600K 12
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#73 of 270 currently priced processors
- #70 IntelIntel Core i5-7600K 39
- #71 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5800XT 39
- #72 IntelIntel Core i7-11700F 39
- #73 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 39
- #74 IntelIntel Core Ultra 5 235 38
- #75 IntelIntel Core i5-11600 38
- #76 IntelIntel Core i7-7700 38
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value47 | Higher capability Intel Core i7 Extreme 5960X 50 +56% capability · +1% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i7-6800K 80 +20% capability · -42% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeC Value31 | — | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i3-10100F C 67 -2% capability · +1% price |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeF Value19 | Higher capability Intel Core i7 Extreme 5960X F 28 +56% capability · +1% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i3-10100F F 31 -3% capability · +1% price |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeF Value39 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 2400G F 85 +47% capability · -23% price | |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded C for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value with Balanced priorities — the calculation only gets there near $41, against a cheapest tracked $71
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i7-6800K holds Relative Value 80 against its 47 with Balanced priorities, at $41
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useit grades only F there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Gaming is your main useit grades C there; Intel Core i3-10100F grades C at $72
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Gaming per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- You are buying for Gaming and want no asterisksthe rubric caps this grade: <6 cores struggles in modern games
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Productivity is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Productivity, but C for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useit grades F there; Intel Core i7 Extreme 5960X grades F at $72
- You want strong value for Productivity specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Productivity per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Performance per Watt, but C for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit grades F there; AMD Ryzen 5 2400G grades F at $55
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value for Performance per Watt — the calculation only gets there near $34, against a cheapest tracked $71
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 2400G holds Relative Value 85 against its 39 for Performance per Watt, at $55
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i7-6700K
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 4
- Threads
- 8
- Performance cores
- 4
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 4000 MHz
- Boost clock
- 4200 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 136 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 136 W
- Socket
- LGA 1151
- Maximum memory
- 64 GB
- Integrated graphics
- Intel HD Graphics 530
- Process node
- 14 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 1 MB
- L3 cache
- 8 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2014
- Manufacturer part number
- CM8066201919901
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09
What to check in your build
LGA 1151 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1151. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
Unknown
Cooler rated for 136 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 136 W on socket LGA 1151.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i7-6700K offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #221 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 252. Intel Core i7-6800K currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i7-6700K offers C-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #204 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 252. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i7-6700K offers F-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #221 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 252. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i7-6700K offers F-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #210 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 252. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon listing snapshots can participate in Value while fresh. We show Check on Amazon instead of its price; confirm the current price and availability at the store. When no current listing snapshot exists, Amazon is a search link only.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 · formula cpu-value-v6.1 · facts facts-2026-11-09 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.