Intel Core i5-6600K Processor

The Intel Core i5-6600K Processor — 4 cores and 4 threads, 3.5 GHz base rising to 3.9 GHz with Turbo Boost, 6 MB Intel Smart Cache, 91 W processor base power, LGA1151. Supplied from stock with a 1-year warranty.

The unlocked Skylake i5

The i5-6600K is the only unlocked i5 of the Skylake generation: four cores at 3.50 GHz with a 3.90 GHz Turbo and a 91 W envelope. Paired with a Z170 board it was the enthusiast desktop of 2015–2016, and overclocked units commonly held 4.4–4.6 GHz on air.

Out of the box it is a fast quad-core; the unlocked multiplier is the reason to choose it over the 6600. Note that Skylake overclocking requires a Z170 (or later Z-series) chipset — H110/B150/H170 boards run the chip at stock clocks only.

Technical specifications

Instruction set extensions: Intel SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX and AVX2. AVX-512 is not present on this generation. Security and virtualisation: AES-NI, Intel VT-x with EPT and VT-d, Intel Boot Guard.

Which systems take this processor

Anything on the FCLGA1151 socket with an Intel 100 or 200 series chipset: H110, B150, B250, H170, H270, Q170, Q270 and Z270. Boards built for 7th Generation parts will run 6th Generation processors, and most 6th Generation boards take 7th Generation parts after a BIOS update.

• Business desktops and SFF machines — Dell OptiPlex 3040 / 5040 / 7040, HP EliteDesk 800 G2 / ProDesk 600 G2, Lenovo ThinkCentre M700 / M900. These chassis shipped with this generation as a factory option, so replacement boards and coolers are easy to source.
• Entry workstations — HP Z240 SFF / Tower, Dell Precision T3620, Lenovo ThinkStation P310, where a 65 W quad-core covers office, light CAD and point-of-sale duty.
• NAS and firewall builds — C236 boards such as Supermicro X11SSH and ASUS P10S accept Core i5 parts alongside Xeon E3, and the integrated graphics keeps the platform usable without a discrete card.

One caveat when buying a board separately: 100 series boards may need a BIOS from late 2015 or later before a 7th Generation part will POST, and 200 series boards handle both generations out of the box. Tell us the board or the machine model when you enquire and we will confirm before you order.

How it compares across the i5 line

The 7600K is the Kaby Lake successor: 300 MHz more base at the same 91 W, on the same socket and the same Z-series requirement. For a locked-clock office build the 6600 is the cheaper and cooler option.

How each processor is tested before it ships

1. Visual inspection of the integrated heat spreader, substrate and contact pads; the sSpec laser marking (SR2BV/SR2L4 on our i5-6600K stock) is verified against the Intel specification sheet.
2. Burn-in on a matched diagnostic board with a pair of memory modules of the correct type for this platform.
3. All populated memory channels and the primary PCIe lanes are validated, then the processor is identified in the BIOS and in the operating system.
4. A sustained multi-threaded load test at full core count, with the clock and thermal readings recorded.
5. Thermal paste cleaned off, final inspection, then packaging in an anti-static tray with foam — which is how it arrives to you.

Warranty and lead time

Every processor is covered by a 1-year warranty against defects in workmanship and function. If a part fails within the period we replace it or refund it, and we cover return shipping on a verified fault. Stock is held in our own warehouse and normally dispatches within three to seven working days; tracking is issued at dispatch.

Purchasing and volume enquiries

The minimum order quantity for this processor is 2 units. Price is quotation-based rather than listed, because CPU pricing moves with each incoming batch — send us the quantity you need and we will come back with a firm quote and the current lead time. Larger quantities ship from the same production batch so the sSpec and the stepping stay consistent across your order.