CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-6950X vs Intel Core i9-7940X

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-6950X is a legendary extreme edition desktop processor that redefined the high-end desktop (HEDT) market upon its release. As the flagship of the Broadwell-E architecture, it was the first mainstream consumer CPU to feature ten cores and twenty threads, offering unprecedented parallel processing power. Operating at a base clock of 3.0 GHz and boosting up to 4.0 GHz via Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0, it balances immense multi-threaded capability with strong single-threaded responsiveness. It utilizes the LGA 2011-v3 socket and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, maximizing data throughput for data-heavy applications. With 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes and a massive 25 MB of L3 cache, it is designed for uncompromised expansion and efficient data handling. The 140-watt TDP requires serious cooling. Lacking integrated graphics, this $1723 processor was exclusively for extreme enthusiasts and professionals, dominating workloads like 4K video editing, complex 3D rendering, and heavy virtualization, setting a new standard for desktop compute performance.