Core i3-4150 vs Core i7-6600U

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 i3-4150 vs Core i7-6600U 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 i3-4150 vs Core i7-6600U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4150

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Core i7-6600U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-6600U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,406 vs 3,407).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i7-6600U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌260% higher power demand at 54W vs 15W.

Core i7-6600U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 54W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4150 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4150 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4150.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6600U better than Core i3-4150?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4150 is ahead with a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6600U pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i7-6600U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6600U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i7-6600U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-6600U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. Core i3-4150 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Core i7-6600U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4150 vs Core i7-6600U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4150

The Core i3-4150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,406 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-6600U

The Core i7-6600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,407 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4150 and Core i7-6600U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4150 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6600U — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-4150 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-4150 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6600U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4150 scores 3,406 against the Core i7-6600U's 3,407 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-6600U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4150 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6600U.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i7-6600U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+3%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+35%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,406	3,407
Geekbench 6 Single	1,071	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4150 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6600U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i7-6600U
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4150) / not specified (Core i7-6600U). The Core i3-4150 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i7-6600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4150 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4150 rivals FX-6300.