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Intel Core i7-6700T

Intel Core i7-6700T: Review and Relevance in 2025

Energy efficiency and stability for niche tasks

Key Features: Skylake Architecture and Performance Balance

The Intel Core i7-6700T processor, released in 2015, remains in demand in 2025 thanks to its unique niche—low power consumption (TDP of 35W) while maintaining respectable performance.

Architecture and Manufacturing Process:

- Skylake (14 nm): An optimized architecture with improved IPC (instructions per cycle) compared to previous generations.

- 4 cores / 8 threads: Hyper-Threading support allows for effective multitasking.

- Base frequency 2.8 GHz / Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz: Dynamic frequency scaling for peak loads.

- Integrated Graphics HD Graphics 530: 24 execution units, supporting 4K@60Hz via DisplayPort.

Performance:

- Geekbench 6: 1185 (single-core) / 3613 (multi-core) — sufficient for office tasks and light content creation.

- L3 Cache (8 MB): Reduces data access latency.

Key Features:

- Speed Shift Technology: Quick frequency switching for energy savings.

- VT-x and VT-d Support: Virtualization for server tasks.

Compatible Motherboards: LGA 1151 Socket and Chipset Choices

The processor uses the LGA 1151 (version v1) socket, limiting motherboard choices to models from 2015–2017:

- Chipsets: H110, B150, H170, Z170.

- Recommendations:

- For Basic Systems: H110 (cheap, but lacks USB 3.1 Gen2 and has a limited number of PCIe lanes).

- For Balance: B150 or H170 (supports DDR4, more SATA/USB ports).

- Z170: Overkill, since the i7-6700T has a locked multiplier (overclocking is not possible).

Practical Example: The ASUS H170-PRO motherboard (around $90–120 on the second-hand market) provides stable operation with dual-channel DDR4 and an M.2 slot (PCIe 3.0 x4).

Supported Memory: DDR4 vs DDR3L

The processor is compatible with:

- DDR4-2133 MHz (recommended): The optimal choice for speed and stability.

- DDR3L-1600 MHz: Support exists, but such motherboards are rare.

Tips:

- Use dual-channel mode (2×8 GB DDR4) to improve performance in gaming and rendering.

- Avoid DDR3L—a deprecated standard with lower energy efficiency.

Power Supplies: Minimum Power, Maximum Reliability

With a TDP of 35W, the processor is highly undemanding when it comes to PSUs:

- Minimum Power: 300–400W (considering an entry-level graphics card, e.g., GTX 1650).

- Recommendations:

- Without Discrete Graphics: A 250W PSU (e.g., Seasonic SSP-250ES) — quiet and reliable.

- With GPU: EVGA 500 W1 (80+ White, $45) or Corsair CX450 (80+ Bronze, $60).

Important: Don’t skimp on the PSU—poor-quality models can damage components.

Pros and Cons: Who is the i7-6700T Relevant for in 2025?

Pros:

- Low power consumption—ideal for HTPCs (home theaters) and office PCs.

- Sufficient performance for everyday tasks (browsing, office applications).

- Integrated graphics with 4K support.

Cons:

- No support for PCIe 4.0/5.0 or DDR5—limitations for modern gaming and SSDs.

- Outdated manufacturing process (14 nm vs. 7 nm in Ryzen 5000/7000).

- Price: New units (if available) cost $150–200, which is unjustifiable for an old architecture.

Use Scenarios: From Office to Media Center

1. Office Tasks: Document work, video conferencing, multitasking (Chrome + Excel).

2. Media Center: Streaming 4K video, streaming via Plex.

3. Light Gaming: CS:GO, Dota 2 at low settings (HD 530 delivers ~30–40 FPS at Full HD).

4. Server Tasks: NAS or home server due to low TDP.

Real Example: A build with i7-6700T + 16 GB DDR4 + 512 GB SSD consumes ~50W under load, which is cheaper to operate than modern systems.

Comparison with Competitors: AMD vs Intel

- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (6 cores/12 threads): More powerful in multi-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Multi ~4500), but TDP of 65W and requires a separate graphics card.

- Intel Core i5-7600K: Higher frequency (3.8 GHz), but only 4 threads and TDP of 91W.

Conclusion: The i7-6700T excels in energy efficiency but falls short in absolute performance.

Assembly Tips: Budget Optimization

1. Motherboard: Look for models with M.2 and USB 3.1 (ASUS B150M-A).

2. Memory: 16 GB DDR4-2133 is optimal.

3. Storage: An SSD (Kingston A2000 1 TB, $70) is essential for a responsive system.

4. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient—the processor runs cool.

Conclusion: Who Will Benefit from the i7-6700T in 2025?

This processor should only be considered in specific scenarios:

- Budget Office PCs: Where low ownership costs are important.

- Home Media Centers: A quiet and economical system for TV.

- Servers/NAS: Low power consumption 24/7.

However, it is already outdated for gaming, video editing, or AI work. If the budget allows, it’s better to choose the Ryzen 5 5500 (6 cores, $120) or Intel Core i3-12100 (4 cores, Alder Lake, $110).

Price: New i7-6700Ts (rare leftovers) are $150–200, but it’s more cost-effective to buy used for $50–80.

In 2025, the Intel Core i7-6700T is a choice for those who value reliability and minimalism over raw performance.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

September 2015

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i7-6700T

Code Name

SkyLake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

2.80 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

L3 Cache

8 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCLGA1151

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

14 nm

TDP

35 W

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR4-1866/2133 | DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

64 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

8 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

34.1 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

Intel® HD Graphics 530

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.10 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@24Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (VGA)

N/A

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

8 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Boot Guard

Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel Clear Video Technology

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.5

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1185

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

3613

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

960

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

3399

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2079

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

7255

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i7-1068NG7

1266 +6.8%

Xeon Gold 6234

1223 +3.2%

Core i7-6700T

1185

Xeon E5-2690 v4

1156 -2.4%

Core i5-5575R

1115 -5.9%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i5-10500TE

4084 +13%

Core i5-9500E

3859 +6.8%

Core i7-6700T

3613

Core i7-6700HQ

3395 -6%

Core i5-4590

3143 -13%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i5-9600T

1004 +4.6%

Core i5-9500E

978 +1.9%

Core i7-6700T

960

Xeon Gold 6130T

937 -2.4%

Core i7-9850HL

924 -3.8%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon D-1557

3666 +7.9%

Ryzen 5 2400G

3550 +4.4%

Core i7-6700T

3399

Core i5-7500

3286 -3.3%

Xeon Bronze 3106

3173 -6.6%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Core i5-7360U

2126 +2.3%

Core i3-8145U

2104 +1.2%

Core i7-6700T

2079

Xeon E5-1650 v2

2049 -1.4%

Celeron G5900T

2028 -2.5%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core 3 N350

7748 +6.8%

Xeon E5-2630 v2

7477 +3.1%

Core i7-6700T

7255

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

7006 -3.4%

Core i5-7600K

6806 -6.2%