Core i3-6006U vs Pentium 1403 v2

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 Pentium 1403 v2 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 Pentium 1403 v2: 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

✅Draws 15W instead of 80W, a 65W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 520, while Pentium 1403 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,273 vs 2,284).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).

Pentium 1403 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core i3-6006U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌433.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6006U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 1403 v2 better than Core i3-6006U?

Yes. Pentium 1403 v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 21 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium 1403 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% more average FPS across 21 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 1403 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium 1403 v2 is the better buy right now. Pentium 1403 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 21 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-6006U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6006U vs Pentium 1403 v2 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.

Pentium 1403 v2

The Pentium 1403 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,284 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-6006U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 1403 v2's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-6006U versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium 1403 v2 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Pentium 1403 v2 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-6006U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 1403 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6006U scores 2,273 against the Pentium 1403 v2's 2,284 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium 1403 v2. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6006U vs 6 MB (total) on the Pentium 1403 v2.

Feature	Core i3-6006U	Pentium 1403 v2
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.6 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.6 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	2,273	2,284
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,200	—
Geekbench 6 Single	630	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,313	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6006U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 1403 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6006U	Pentium 1403 v2
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-6006U) / not specified (Pentium 1403 v2). The Core i3-6006U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 520), while the Pentium 1403 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6006U targets Mobile.