Core i3-6320 vs Pentium Gold G6505

Intel

Core i3-6320

2 Cores4 Thrd51 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Pentium Gold G6505

2 Cores4 Thrd58 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Core i3-6320 vs Pentium Gold G6505 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i3-6320 vs Pentium Gold G6505 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 i3-6320 vs Pentium Gold G6505: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6320

2015

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 51W instead of 58W, a 7W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Pentium Gold G6505 needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G6505.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G6505

2021

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-6320 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (4,371 vs 4,421).
    • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6320 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-6320.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i3-6320 better than Pentium Gold G6505?
    Yes. Core i3-6320 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Core i3-6320 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.9% 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 i3-6320 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core i3-6320 is the better buy right now. Core i3-6320 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (27.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Pentium Gold G6505 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Pentium Gold G6505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Core i3-6320 vs Pentium Gold G6505 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core i3-6320

    The Core i3-6320 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 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,421 points. Launch price was $157.

    Intel

    Pentium Gold G6505

    The Pentium Gold G6505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,371 points. Launch price was $75.

    Processing Power

    Both the Core i3-6320 and Pentium Gold G6505 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-6320 versus 4.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6505 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6505 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i3-6320 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6505 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6320 scores 4,421 against the Pentium Gold G6505's 4,371 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-6320. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

    FeatureCore i3-6320Pentium Gold G6505
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 4
    2 / 4
    Boost Clock
    3.9 GHz
    4.2 GHz+8%
    Base Clock
    3.9 GHz
    4.2 GHz+8%
    L3 Cache
    4 MB (total)
    4 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    256K (per core)
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    14 nm
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Skylake (2015−2016)
    Comet Lake-R (2021)
    PassMark
    4,421+1%
    4,371
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    2,853
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,311
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    2,730
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i3-6320 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6505 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i3-6320Pentium Gold G6505
    Socket
    LGA1151
    LGA1200
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-2133
    Max RAM Capacity
    64 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-6320) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6505). The Core i3-6320 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Pentium Gold G6505 requires a dedicated GPU.

    FeatureCore i3-6320Pentium Gold G6505
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Intel HD Graphics 530
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    Yes