Core i5-3475S vs Core i5-6350HQ

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 i5-3475S vs Core i5-6350HQ 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 i5-3475S vs Core i5-6350HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3475S

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-6350HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (705 vs 803).
❌Launch MSRP is still $249 MSRP, while Core i5-6350HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i5-6350HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅+13.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,255 vs 4,315).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3475S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6350HQ better than Core i5-3475S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6350HQ is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3475S pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3475S is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6350HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-6350HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3475S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6350HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3475S vs Core i5-6350HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3475S

The Core i5-3475S 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,315 points. Launch price was $219.

Core i5-6350HQ

The Core i5-6350HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (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 (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,255 points. Launch price was $306.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3475S and Core i5-6350HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3475S versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6350HQ — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-3475S (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-3475S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6350HQ uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3475S scores 4,315 against the Core i5-6350HQ's 4,255 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-3475S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 705 vs 803, a 13% lead for the Core i5-6350HQ that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3475S	Core i5-6350HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+26%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake-H (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,315+1%	4,255
Geekbench 6 Single	705	803+14%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,544	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3475S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6350HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3475S versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6350HQ — the Core i5-6350HQ supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6350HQ 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. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i5-3475S) and Skylake-H (Core i5-6350HQ).

Feature	Core i5-3475S	Core i5-6350HQ
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
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. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3475S) and Iris Pro Graphics 580 (Core i5-6350HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3475S targets Budget, Core i5-6350HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3475S rivals FX-6300; Core i5-6350HQ rivals FX-9830P.

Feature	Core i5-3475S	Core i5-6350HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	Iris Pro Graphics 580
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	High Performance Laptop