The Intel Core i7-6700K is the objective winner of this comparison, securing four spec victories compared to the single win held by the Intel Core i5-6600K. The most impactful advantage for the winning processor is its thread count, which is 100% better than that of its counterpart. While the Intel Core i5-6600K maintains a 28% advantage in MSRP, the superior thread capacity of the Intel Core i7-6700K provides a significant technical edge across the measured fields.

Users prioritizing multi-threaded performance should choose the Intel Core i7-6700K to leverage its doubling of thread capacity. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-6600K is the appropriate selection for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize a lower MSRP over the increased thread count offered by the higher-tier model. Selecting between these two components depends entirely on whether your primary requirement is the expanded thread capability of the i7 or the cost efficiency of the i5.