Core i3-4360T vs Core i7-6500U

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 i3-4360T vs Core i7-6500U 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 i3-4360T vs Core i7-6500U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4360T

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% 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 4600, while Core i7-6500U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Core i7-6500U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Core i7-6500U

2015

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4360T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,271 vs 3,294).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4360T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4360T better than Core i7-6500U?

Yes. Core i3-4360T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-4360T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 i3-4360T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4360T is the better buy right now. Core i3-4360T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-6500U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4360T vs Core i7-6500U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4360T

The Core i3-4360T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,294 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-6500U

The Core i7-6500U 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 3,271 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4360T and Core i7-6500U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-4360T versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-6500U — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-4360T (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-4360T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6500U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4360T scores 3,294 against the Core i7-6500U's 3,271 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-4360T. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4360T vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6500U.

Feature	Core i3-4360T	Core i7-6500U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+3%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+28%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,294	3,271

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4360T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6500U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4360T	Core i7-6500U
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, VT-d (Core i3-4360T) / not specified (Core i7-6500U). The Core i3-4360T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-6500U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4360T targets Desktop.