The world of computer hardware is constantly evolving, with new technologies and innovations emerging every year. Two of the most popular processor families from Intel are Skylake and Kaby Lake. While both are highly capable, the question remains: which one is newer? In this article, we’ll delve into the details of each processor family, exploring their features, performance, and power consumption to determine which one comes out on top.
Understanding Skylake and Kaby Lake
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s take a brief look at what each processor family has to offer.
Skylake: The Sixth-Generation Processor
Skylake is Intel’s sixth-generation processor family, launched in August 2015. It was a significant upgrade over the previous Broadwell architecture, offering improved performance, power efficiency, and new features. Skylake processors were built on the 14nm process node and featured a new microarchitecture that provided a 10-20% increase in instructions per clock (IPC) compared to Broadwell.
Skylake processors also introduced several new technologies, including:
- DDR4 memory support: Skylake was the first processor family to support DDR4 memory, which offered higher speeds and lower power consumption than DDR3.
- SATA Express and PCIe 3.0: Skylake processors featured SATA Express and PCIe 3.0, which provided faster storage and graphics performance.
- Integrated graphics: Skylake processors came with integrated graphics, which offered improved performance and power efficiency.
Kaby Lake: The Seventh-Generation Processor
Kaby Lake is Intel’s seventh-generation processor family, launched in January 2017. It was an incremental upgrade over Skylake, offering improved performance, power efficiency, and new features. Kaby Lake processors were also built on the 14nm process node, but with several refinements that provided a 5-10% increase in IPC compared to Skylake.
Kaby Lake processors introduced several new technologies, including:
- Optane memory support: Kaby Lake was the first processor family to support Optane memory, a new type of memory that offered high speeds and low latency.
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3: Kaby Lake processors featured USB 3.1 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3, which provided faster storage and connectivity.
- Improved integrated graphics: Kaby Lake processors came with improved integrated graphics, which offered better performance and power efficiency.
Performance Comparison
So, how do Skylake and Kaby Lake processors compare in terms of performance? To answer this question, let’s look at some benchmarks.
| Processor | Cinebench R15 (Single-Core) | Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core) |
| — | — | — |
| Skylake Core i7-6700K | 178 | 1,043 |
| Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K | 192 | 1,143 |
As you can see, the Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K offers slightly better performance than the Skylake Core i7-6700K in both single-core and multi-core workloads. However, the difference is relatively small, and Skylake processors are still highly capable.
Gaming Performance
Gaming performance is another important aspect to consider. Both Skylake and Kaby Lake processors offer excellent gaming performance, but Kaby Lake has a slight edge.
| Processor | 3DMark Fire Strike (Graphics Score) |
| — | — |
| Skylake Core i7-6700K | 13,441 |
| Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K | 14,321 |
As you can see, the Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K offers slightly better gaming performance than the Skylake Core i7-6700K. However, the difference is relatively small, and Skylake processors are still highly capable.
Power Consumption
Power consumption is an important aspect to consider, especially for laptops and other mobile devices. Both Skylake and Kaby Lake processors offer excellent power efficiency, but Kaby Lake has a slight edge.
| Processor | TDP (Watts) |
| — | — |
| Skylake Core i7-6700K | 91W |
| Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K | 91W |
As you can see, both processors have the same TDP (thermal design power), but Kaby Lake processors offer slightly better power efficiency.
Overclocking
Overclocking is a popular activity among enthusiasts, and both Skylake and Kaby Lake processors offer excellent overclocking capabilities. However, Kaby Lake processors have a slight edge.
| Processor | Overclocking Headroom |
| — | — |
| Skylake Core i7-6700K | 4.6GHz (average) |
| Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K | 5.0GHz (average) |
As you can see, Kaby Lake processors offer slightly better overclocking headroom than Skylake processors.
Conclusion
So, which processor family is newer: Skylake or Kaby Lake? The answer is clear: Kaby Lake is the newer processor family, launched in January 2017. While Skylake processors are still highly capable, Kaby Lake offers improved performance, power efficiency, and new features.
If you’re in the market for a new processor, Kaby Lake is the better choice. However, if you’re on a budget or already have a Skylake processor, there’s no need to upgrade. Skylake processors are still highly capable and offer excellent performance.
In conclusion, Kaby Lake is the newer processor family, offering improved performance, power efficiency, and new features. While Skylake processors are still highly capable, Kaby Lake is the better choice for those looking for the latest and greatest technology.
Final Thoughts
In the world of computer hardware, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and innovations. Both Skylake and Kaby Lake processors offer excellent performance and power efficiency, but Kaby Lake has a slight edge.
As we move forward, it’s exciting to think about what the future holds for processor technology. With the advent of new technologies like 10nm and 7nm process nodes, we can expect even better performance and power efficiency in the years to come.
For now, Kaby Lake is the newer processor family, offering improved performance, power efficiency, and new features. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or just a casual user, Kaby Lake is an excellent choice for those looking for the latest and greatest technology.
What are Skylake and Kaby Lake processors?
Skylake and Kaby Lake are two generations of processors developed by Intel. Skylake, launched in 2015, was the 6th generation of Intel Core processors, while Kaby Lake, launched in 2016, was the 7th generation. Both processors were designed to provide improved performance, power efficiency, and features compared to their predecessors.
Skylake processors were a major overhaul of Intel’s processor architecture, introducing a new 14nm manufacturing process and a range of new features such as DDR4 memory support and improved graphics processing. Kaby Lake, on the other hand, was more of an incremental update, building on the successes of Skylake and introducing further refinements and improvements.
What are the key differences between Skylake and Kaby Lake processors?
One of the main differences between Skylake and Kaby Lake processors is the manufacturing process. While both processors use a 14nm process, Kaby Lake processors use a more advanced “14nm+” process that provides improved power efficiency and performance. Kaby Lake processors also support higher clock speeds and have improved graphics processing capabilities.
Another key difference is the addition of new features in Kaby Lake processors, such as native support for USB 3.1 Gen 2 and HDCP 2.2. Kaby Lake processors also have improved support for 4K video playback and HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. Overall, while Skylake processors were a major leap forward, Kaby Lake processors offer further refinements and improvements that make them a better choice for many users.
Which processor is better for gaming?
For gaming, Kaby Lake processors are generally considered to be the better choice. This is because they offer improved graphics processing capabilities and support for higher clock speeds, which can result in smoother and more responsive gameplay. Additionally, Kaby Lake processors have improved support for 4K video playback and HDR content, which can enhance the overall gaming experience.
That being said, Skylake processors are still capable of providing excellent gaming performance, especially when paired with a high-end graphics card. However, for users who want the absolute best gaming performance, Kaby Lake processors are likely to be the better choice.
Which processor is better for video editing and content creation?
For video editing and content creation, Kaby Lake processors are generally considered to be the better choice. This is because they offer improved multi-threading capabilities and support for higher clock speeds, which can result in faster rendering times and improved overall performance.
Additionally, Kaby Lake processors have improved support for 4K video playback and HDR content, which can be beneficial for content creators who need to work with high-resolution video files. Skylake processors are still capable of providing excellent performance for video editing and content creation, but Kaby Lake processors offer further refinements and improvements that make them a better choice for these tasks.
Are Skylake processors still worth buying?
While Kaby Lake processors offer improved performance and features, Skylake processors are still worth buying for many users. This is because they offer excellent performance and value for money, especially for users who don’t need the latest and greatest features.
Additionally, Skylake processors are often cheaper than Kaby Lake processors, which can make them a more attractive option for users on a budget. However, for users who want the absolute best performance and features, Kaby Lake processors are likely to be the better choice.
Can I upgrade from a Skylake processor to a Kaby Lake processor?
Upgrading from a Skylake processor to a Kaby Lake processor can be possible, but it depends on the specific motherboard and system configuration. Kaby Lake processors use the same LGA 1151 socket as Skylake processors, which means that they can be installed on the same motherboard.
However, not all motherboards support Kaby Lake processors, so it’s essential to check the motherboard manual or manufacturer’s website to confirm compatibility before attempting an upgrade. Additionally, upgrading to a Kaby Lake processor may require a BIOS update, which can be a complex process.
What is the future of Skylake and Kaby Lake processors?
Skylake and Kaby Lake processors are both older generations of Intel Core processors, and they have largely been replaced by newer generations such as Coffee Lake and Ice Lake. As a result, support for these processors is gradually being phased out, and they are no longer the best choice for new systems.
However, Skylake and Kaby Lake processors are still widely used in many systems, and they will continue to be supported by Intel for the foreseeable future. Additionally, many users will continue to use these processors for years to come, and they will remain a viable option for users who don’t need the latest and greatest features.