Intel Core i7-6850K
The current Intel Core i7-6850K price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Intel · CPU
Retailer photo of Intel Core i7-6850K OEM/Tray. View this offer in Where to buy
Trade-offs: Current price sits $14 above the strong-value threshold (~$42)
- Cores / threads
- 6C / 12T
- Boost clock
- 3800 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 2011-3
- TDP
- 252 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: MediumAt $56 the Intel Core i7-6850K is priced 16% below its $67 representative market level. Only one retailer currently backs that price, so the level is a single data point rather than a market.
Limited market: only one retailer currently has a verified offer, so treat this price as a single data point.
Prices & availability
Intel Core i7-6850K: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
2 tracked offers · 1 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-6850K OEM/Tray | Newegg | New | $56 | 60 | 2026-11-08 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i7-6850K | Newegg | New | $78 | 43 | 2026-11-08 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i7-6850KMultiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
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.
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.
#200 of 270 graded processors
- #197 IntelIntel Core i3-12100 7
- #198 IntelIntel Core i5-10400F 7
- #199 IntelIntel Core i5-10400 7
- #200 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 7
- #201 IntelIntel Xeon E5-2643 v4 7
- #202 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 4100 6
- #203 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 6
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#25 of 270 currently priced processors
- #22 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 8500G 62
- #23 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5600 62
- #24 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 4100 60
- #25 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 60
- #26 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 7600X 60
- #27 IntelIntel Core i3-14100 59
- #28 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600 59
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#224 of 270 graded processors
- #221 IntelIntel Core i7-7700 52
- #222 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 52
- #223 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 52
- #224 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 52
- #225 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 4100 52
- #226 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 52
- #227 IntelIntel Core i7 Extreme 4960X 52
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#170 of 270 currently priced processors
- #167 IntelIntel Core i3-9300 32
- #168 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 32
- #169 IntelIntel Pentium Gold G5500 31
- #170 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 31
- #171 IntelIntel Core i9-9900KS 31
- #172 IntelIntel Core i9-10900 31
- #173 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 31
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#200 of 270 graded processors
- #197 IntelIntel Core i3-12100 7
- #198 IntelIntel Core i5-10400F 7
- #199 IntelIntel Core i5-10400 7
- #200 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 7
- #201 IntelIntel Xeon E5-2643 v4 7
- #202 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 4100 6
- #203 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 6
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#178 of 270 currently priced processors
- #175 IntelIntel Core i7-7800X 27
- #176 AMDAMD EPYC 4564P 27
- #177 IntelIntel Xeon E5 2660 V3 26
- #178 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 26
- #179 IntelIntel Core i7-8700K 26
- #180 IntelIntel Core i5-8600K 26
- #181 IntelIntel Core i5-8600 26
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#245 of 270 graded processors
- #242 IntelIntel Core i3-8350K 9
- #243 IntelIntel Core i5-7600K 9
- #244 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1225 V5 9
- #245 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 8
- #246 IntelIntel Xeon E5-2643 v4 8
- #247 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1220 V5 8
- #248 IntelIntel Core i5-4690 8
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#84 of 270 currently priced processors
- #81 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 7900 37
- #82 IntelIntel Core i5-10500 37
- #83 IntelIntel Core i7-4790 37
- #84 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 37
- #85 IntelIntel Core i7-9700KF 37
- #86 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D 37
- #87 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 4600G 36
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 Value60 | — | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i7-6800K 80 -6% capability · -27% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeC Value31 | — | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i3-8100 C 55 -3% capability · -44% price |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeF Value26 | — | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i7-6800K F 29 -6% capability · -27% price |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeF Value37 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 2400G F 85 +115% capability · -2% 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
- Strong-value threshold: ~$42$42 is where Relative Value reaches 80 with Balanced priorities, in the 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 offer frame
Consider other options if
- Current price sits $14 above the strong-value threshold (~$42)cheapest tracked $56 against a $42 calculated threshold with Balanced priorities
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i7-6800K holds Relative Value 80 against its 60 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 i3-8350K grades C at $49
- 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
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i3-8100 holds Relative Value 55 against its 31 for Gaming, at $31
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 i3-8350K grades F at $49
- 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
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i7-6800K holds Relative Value 29 against its 26 for Productivity, at $41
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 $26, against a cheapest tracked $56
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 2400G holds Relative Value 85 against its 37 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 i7-6850K
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
- 6
- Threads
- 12
- Performance cores
- 6
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 3600 MHz
- Boost clock
- 3800 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 252 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 252 W
- Socket
- LGA 2011-3
- Integrated graphics
- No
- Process node
- 14 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 5 MB
- L3 cache
- 15 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2014
- Manufacturer part number
- CM8067102056100
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 2011-3 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 2011-3. 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 252 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 252 W on socket LGA 2011-3.
Discrete GPU required
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 i7-6850K offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #200 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 320. Intel Core i7-6800K currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i7-6850K offers C-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #224 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 320. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i7-6850K offers F-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #200 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 320. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i7-6850K offers F-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #245 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 320. 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.