First Intel Core i7-7700k Benchmarks Are Out – Show Impressive Single Threaded and Multicore Performance in Geekbench v4 [Updated]

Update [10/4/2016]: Some readers have pointed out something concerning about the benchmark in question. We were using this verified result of the Core i7 6700k as a baseline to compare the new results against. As you can see, it shows a single core score of 4300 and a multi core score of 16756, which gave the percentage figures of 40% and 20% respectively. Unfortunately, however, there is a lot of inconsistency in the scores reported by this benchmark and not all results are alike. The biggest issue is that the clock speed readings appear to be read completely wrong. I was able to find Core i7 6700k multi core scores as low as 11000 and as high as 22000 at seemingly the same clocks. This means that analysing the performance gains depicted in this particular leak gets very difficult without injecting significant subjective opinion, which is why I have decided to edit out the percentage gains from the headline. I apologise for the err on my part in not conducting the necessary due diligence.

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What are probably the first legitimate benchmarks of the upcoming Kaby Lake based Core i7-7700K processor have just been posted on a public database. And boy are they impressive. The benchmark in question is Geekbench 4 and showcases Intel’s new and improved 14nm+ architecture in all its glory. Not only does it perform faster overall but Intel has managed to push out a very significant single threaded performance increase as well.

First Core i7-7700K benchmarks leak out

The processor in question is the flagship SKU of the Kaby Lake lineup: the Core i7-7700K. It features 4 cores and 8 threads just like its predecessor but will actually be the highest clocked Intel CPU to date. With a base clock of 4.2 Ghz and boost clocks reported as high as 4.4-4.5 Ghz you are looking at what is essentially a factory overclocked monster. It’s even possible that with liquid cooling solutions we will see chips reaching clocks as high as 4.7 Ghz. The i7 7700k has a 95W TDP and is built for the LGA 1151 Socket. So without any further ado, let's dive down into the benchmarks:

The Geekbench [benchmark] is a general purpose, cross-platform benchmark, and the Core i7-7700K scores an outstanding 6131 score in single threaded performance. To put this into performance, the Skylake based Core i7 6700k scores around 4300 points. This means you are looking at an increase of approximately 42%, which is absolutely bonkers. Of course, we are not comparing on a clock to clock basis so this gain is not only the result of the refined architecture that Kaby Lake employs but also the result of the increased clock rate. Regardless of how the performance gain is achieved, it is a very impressive leap over its predecessor.

Enthusiasts are well aware of the fact that single threaded performance doesn’t scale linearly to multi-core but the Kaby Lake based Core i7-7700K does not disappoint even in that regard. In the multicore benchmark, the 7700k was able to achieve a score of 20243. To put this into perspective, a 6700k scores around 16756 which translates to a leap of approximately 20%. Going from one generation to the next, and on the same physical process, this is a very impressive leap in performance. All of us are guilty of having assumed that marketing content aside, Kaby Lake would just be another Skylake Refresh. But this leak effectively puts those rumors to rest, because if Geekbench is anything to go by Kaby Lake will offer a pretty significant increase in performance (at least for the mainstream chips).

It is prudent to note here that due caution is advised in a few aspects of the matter. 1) It is never ever wise to take a single benchmark as being indicative of real life performance of a processor and 2) we will have to wait for a clock to clock analysis to actually figure out just how much better the Kaby Lake architecture is from Sky Lake. It is obvious that the Kaby Lake chips are much more OC friendly and will probably even have a little headroom left in them, but this is due to the 14nm node being very mature now and not something related to the architecture itself.

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One last thing that I would like to talk about is that there have been rumblings that the Kaby Lake lineup would be compatible with 100 series motherboards but unfortunately, this leak just adds to the confusion even further.

Motherboard names can be fetched from two different locations (this is why some mobos have a “To be filled in by OEM” showing at the bios) and it is very much possible that a Z170X motherboard was flashed to a Z270X without the bios name being changed, which resulted in this confusing report. Conversely, it is also possible that someone was trying very hard to hide the fact that this is a 200 series motherboard (no prizes for guessing who). In any case, the launch of KBL draws closer and very exciting times are ahead for PC enthusiasts.

Intel 7th Generation 'Kaby Lake' Desktop Lineup