Core i5-3470 vs Core i5-6300HQ

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 i5-3470 vs Core i5-6300HQ 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 i5-3470 vs Core i5-6300HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3470

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,663 vs 4,672).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i5-6300HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌71.1% higher power demand at 77W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6300HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-6300HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 77W, a 32W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Core i5-3470 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3470 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6300HQ better than Core i5-3470?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3470 is ahead with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6300HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-6300HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-3470 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (25.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i5-6300HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3470 vs Core i5-6300HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3470

The Core i5-3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.

Core i5-6300HQ

The Core i5-6300HQ 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,672 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3470 and Core i5-6300HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6300HQ — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-3470 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6300HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the Core i5-6300HQ's 4,672 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6300HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6300HQ.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i5-6300HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+39%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,663	4,672
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6300HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i5-6300HQ
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3470) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6300HQ). The Core i5-6300HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-3470 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6300HQ targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300HQ rivals A12-9730P.