Atom x7425E vs Core i5-6400

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.

Atom x7425E vs Core i5-6400 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.

Atom x7425E vs Core i5-6400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x7425E

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 12W instead of 65W, a 53W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-6400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-6400.

Core i5-6400

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅77.8% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 9) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Atom x7425E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,417 vs 5,427).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Atom x7425E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌441.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 12W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Atom x7425E moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x7425E better than Core i5-6400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6400 is ahead with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom x7425E pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x7425E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom x7425E is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom x7425E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-6400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (29.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Atom x7425E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2015), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x7425E vs Core i5-6400 Technical Specifications

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

Atom x7425E

The Atom x7425E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Gracemont (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 12 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,427 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-6400

The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom x7425E and Core i5-6400 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Atom x7425E versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 — a 3% clock advantage for the Atom x7425E (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Atom x7425E uses the Gracemont (2023) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-6400 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7425E scores 5,427 against the Core i5-6400's 5,417 — a 0.2% lead for the Atom x7425E. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom x7425E	Core i5-6400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+80%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Gracemont (2023)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,427	5,417
Geekbench 6 Single	—	950
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,200

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x7425E uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-6400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7425E versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6400 — the Atom x7425E supports 125% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6400 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x7425E) vs 2 (Core i5-6400). PCIe lanes: 9 (Atom x7425E) vs 16 (Core i5-6400) — the Core i5-6400 offers 7 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel BGA1264 (Atom x7425E) and H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Core i5-6400).

Feature	Atom x7425E	Core i5-6400
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+125%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	64 GB+300%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	9	16+78%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x7425E) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6400). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (24EU) (Atom x7425E) and Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.

Feature	Atom x7425E	Core i5-6400
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics (24EU)	Intel HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Mainstream Desktop