Core i5-6200U vs Core i7-5650U

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 i5-6200U vs Core i7-5650U 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 i5-6200U vs Core i7-5650U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6200U

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 520, while Core i7-5650U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,990 vs 3,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-5650U

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6200U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5650U better than Core i5-6200U?

Yes. Core i7-5650U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 i7-5650U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.6% 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 i7-5650U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i7-5650U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-5650U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-5650U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6200U vs Core i7-5650U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6200U

The Core i5-6200U 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 2,990 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i7-5650U

The Core i7-5650U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,000 points. Launch price was $426.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6200U and Core i7-5650U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6200U versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-5650U — a 10.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-5650U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-6200U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5650U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6200U scores 2,990 against the Core i7-5650U's 3,000 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-5650U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-6200U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5650U.

Feature	Core i5-6200U	Core i7-5650U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+5%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,990	3,000
Geekbench 6 Single	946	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6200U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5650U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6200U	Core i7-5650U
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1168
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	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6200U) / not specified (Core i7-5650U). The Core i5-6200U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 520), while the Core i7-5650U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6200U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6200U rivals A12-9700P.