CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-5820K vs Intel Core i7-6800K
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-5820K is a six-core enthusiast processor that introduced the X99 platform and DDR4 memory to the high-end desktop market, offering a balance of multi-threaded performance and affordability.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI or matrix acceleration hardware.
- AVX2 support offers some vector compute capability.
- No dedicated NPUs or matrix accelerators
- Suitable for CPU-bound inference workloads only
- AVX2 support helps in some compute-heavy tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Requires discrete graphics; no integrated GPU.
- PCIe 3.0 lanes limit full potential of modern RTX 40-series GPUs.
- Boost clocks are modest by modern standards.
- Handles high-refresh gaming with a capable GPU
- Turbo Boost Max 3.0 can aid lightly threaded titles
- Modern CPUs typically deliver higher gaming efficiency
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Relatively low entry cost for a used HEDT platform
- Quad-channel DDR4 memory support
- 28 PCIe lanes allow for multiple expansion cards
- Unlocked for overclocking
- Strong multi-core performance for its era
Cons
- High power draw and heat output
- No integrated graphics
- Limited to 28 PCIe lanes (fewer than 5930K/5960X)
- Requires expensive X99 motherboards and DDR4 RAM
- Older architecture lacks modern instruction sets like AVX-512
Pros
- Six cores and 12 threads remain viable for productivity
- Quad-channel DDR4 provides strong memory bandwidth
- 28 PCIe 3.0 lanes enable multi-GPU and NVMe flexibility
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking enthusiasts
- Turbo Boost Max 3.0 improves lightly threaded performance
Cons
- 140 W TDP is high by modern standards
- No integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU
- X99 platform is legacy with limited future CPU options
- PCIe lane count lower than 40-lane Broadwell-E SKUs
- Launch price higher than newer, more efficient options
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-5820K
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700Rival
Creator
- Intel Core i7-4790KRival
Gaming
- AMD FX-9590Rival
Enthusiast
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-6800KRival
Workstation
If you need the full 40 PCIe lanes for tri-SI or heavy storage arrays.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
A modern, significantly faster and more efficient gaming CPU.
- Intel Core i5-12600KAlt
Modern platform with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support.
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900XAlt
Massive multi-core performance jump for content creation.
More cores and higher frequency on a still-recent mainstream platform.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-6800K
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600XRival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700Rival
Creator
- AMD Ryzen 7 1800XRival
Enthusiast
- Intel Core i7-6700KRival
Mainstream Gaming
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-5820KRival
Previous-Gen HEDT
- Intel Core i7-7820XAlt
More cores and higher PCIe lane count on the newer X299 platform.
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800XAlt
Much higher single-thread performance and efficiency on AM4.
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900XAlt
12 cores and 24 threads with strong performance per watt.
- Intel Core i7-14700KAlt
Modern DDR5 platform with more cores and features for new builds.
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950XAlt
Cutting-edge multi-threaded performance and PCIe 5.0 support.
Our Verdict on Each
The i7-5820K was a groundbreaking value proposition in 2014, bringing DDR4 and quad-channel memory to a lower price point. Today, it remains viable only for budget builds, handicapped by high power consumption and limited PCIe lanes compared to modern standards.
Best for: Building a budget-friendly used workstation for virtualization or light content creation.
Read the full reviewA capable entry point into X99 HEDT with solid multi-threading and PCIe headroom, now best suited to budget used builds or specialized workloads rather than new gaming rigs.
Best for: Budget-conscious used HEDT build for multi-threaded workloads
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-5820K or Intel Core i7-6800K?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-6800K comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-5820K or Intel Core i7-6800K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-6800K leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i7-5820K and Intel Core i7-6800K.
Do Intel Core i7-5820K and Intel Core i7-6800K use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-5820K: FCLGA2011-3 (LGA2011-v3), Intel Core i7-6800K: LGA2011-v3), so each needs a compatible motherboard.