Core i5-1030NG7 vs Core i5-6600T

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 i5-1030NG7 vs Core i5-6600T 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 i5-1030NG7 vs Core i5-6600T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1030NG7

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 10W instead of 35W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-6600T

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1030NG7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,565 vs 5,600).
❌Launch MSRP is still $213 MSRP, while Core i5-1030NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌250% higher power demand at 35W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1030NG7 better than Core i5-6600T?

Yes. Core i5-1030NG7 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-1030NG7 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.3% 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 i5-1030NG7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-1030NG7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1030NG7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6600T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (26.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-1030NG7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-1030NG7 vs Core i5-6600T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1030NG7

The Core i5-1030NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 March 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1044. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 5,600 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-6600T

The Core i5-6600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,565 points. Launch price was $192.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1030NG7 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-6600T's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-1030NG7 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6600T — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-1030NG7 uses the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-6600T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1030NG7 scores 5,600 against the Core i5-6600T's 5,565 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-1030NG7. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,239 vs 1,175, a 5.3% lead for the Core i5-1030NG7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-1030NG7	Core i5-6600T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.7 GHz+145%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-Y (2020)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,600	5,565
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	7,083
Geekbench 6 Single	1,239+5%	1,175
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,212

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1030NG7 uses the BGA1044 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6600T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1030NG7 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6600T — the Core i5-1030NG7 supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6600T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-1030NG7	Core i5-6600T
Socket	BGA1044	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4-3733+75%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1030NG7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1030NG7) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6600T). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Core i5-1030NG7) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6600T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1030NG7 targets Thin & Light Laptop, Core i5-6600T targets Office. Direct competitor: Core i5-1030NG7 rivals Ryzen 5 4500U; Core i5-6600T rivals AMD Athlon II X4 640.

Feature	Core i5-1030NG7	Core i5-6600T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics G7	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Thin & Light Laptop	Office