Core i3-6006U vs Core i5-650

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 i3-6006U vs Core i5-650 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 i3-6006U vs Core i5-650: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6006U

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 73W, a 58W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 520, while Core i5-650 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i5-650

2010

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,254 vs 2,273).
❌Launch MSRP is still $176 MSRP, while Core i3-6006U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌386.7% higher power demand at 73W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6006U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6006U better than Core i5-650?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-650 is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6006U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-650 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 i3-6006U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6006U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-6006U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $176 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-650 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Core i3-6006U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2010) 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 i3-6006U vs Core i5-650 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6006U

The Core i3-6006U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 November 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 2,273 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-650

The Core i5-650 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,254 points. Launch price was $35.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6006U and Core i5-650 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-6006U versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-650 — a 53.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-650 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-6006U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-650 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6006U scores 2,273 against the Core i5-650's 2,254 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-6006U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6006U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-650.

Feature	Core i3-6006U	Core i5-650
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.46 GHz+73%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.2 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,273	2,254
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,200	—
Geekbench 6 Single	630	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,313	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6006U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-650 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6006U	Core i5-650
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-6006U) / not specified (Core i5-650). The Core i3-6006U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 520), while the Core i5-650 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6006U targets Mobile.