Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-6500T

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.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-6500T 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.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-6500T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1005G1

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-6500T

2015

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,764 vs 4,827).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i3-1005G1 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1005G1 better than Core i5-6500T?

Yes. Core i3-1005G1 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-1005G1 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1005G1 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-1005G1 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1005G1 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6500T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (40.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i3-1005G1 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015) 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.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-6500T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1005G1

The Core i3-1005G1 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,827 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-6500T

The Core i5-6500T 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,764 points. Launch price was $192.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1005G1 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6500T offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-1005G1 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6500T — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-1005G1 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-1005G1 uses the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-6500T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1005G1 scores 4,827 against the Core i5-6500T's 4,764 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-1005G1. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-1005G1 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6500T.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	Core i5-6500T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+108%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,827+1%	4,764
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,319	—
Geekbench 6 Single	603	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,605	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1005G1 uses the FCBGA1526 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6500T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i3-1005G1 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6500T — the Core i3-1005G1 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	Core i5-6500T
Socket	FCBGA1526	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4-3733+50%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i3-1005G1 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i3-1005G1) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6500T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Ice Lake) (Core i3-1005G1) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1005G1 targets Thin-and-light, Core i5-6500T targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	Core i5-6500T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics (Ice Lake)	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x / VT-d / EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Thin-and-light	Desktop