A8-6600K vs Core i7-5600U

A8-6600K vs Core i7-5600U Performance Spectrum

A8-6600K

4 / 4

3,002

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 1920

Ryzen AI Max 390

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-5600U

2 / 4

3,011

+0.3%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A8-6600K vs Core i7-5600U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A8-6600K vs Core i7-5600U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A8-6600K

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 100W instead of 512W, a 412W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8570D, while Core i7-5600U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i7-5600U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,002 vs 3,011).

Core i7-5600U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-6600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌412% higher power demand at 512W vs 100W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-6600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-6600K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5600U better than A8-6600K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-6600K is ahead with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5600U pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5600U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-5600U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-5600U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-5600U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A8-6600K vs Core i7-5600U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A8-6600K

The A8-6600K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 3,002 points. Launch price was $142.

Core i7-5600U

The Core i7-5600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,011 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

The A8-6600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-5600U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-6600K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the A8-6600K versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-5600U — a 27% clock advantage for the A8-6600K (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The A8-6600K uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-5600U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-6600K scores 3,002 against the Core i7-5600U's 3,011 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-5600U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-6600K vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5600U.

Feature	A8-6600K	Core i7-5600U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+31%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+50%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	3,002	3,011

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Memory & Platform

The A8-6600K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5600U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-6600K	Core i7-5600U
Socket	FM2	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	64	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A8-6600K) / not specified (Core i7-5600U). The A8-6600K includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8570D), while the Core i7-5600U requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-6600K rivals Core i3-4130.