Core i5-6200U vs Pentium Silver N6000

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 Pentium Silver N6000 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 Pentium Silver N6000: 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

✅+100% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌150% higher power demand at 15W vs 6W.

Pentium Silver N6000

2021

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 15W, a 9W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (473 vs 946).
❌Lower PassMark (2,989 vs 2,990).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6200U better than Pentium Silver N6000?

Yes. Core i5-6200U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-6200U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% 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 i5-6200U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6200U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-6200U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Silver N6000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2015) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-6200U vs Pentium Silver N6000 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.

Pentium Silver N6000

The Pentium Silver N6000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,989 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6200U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Silver N6000 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium Silver N6000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6200U versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium Silver N6000 — a 16.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver N6000 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-6200U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Silver N6000 uses Jasper Lake (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6200U scores 2,990 against the Pentium Silver N6000's 2,989 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-6200U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 946 vs 473, a 66.7% lead for the Core i5-6200U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-6200U vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Silver N6000.

Feature	Core i5-6200U	Pentium Silver N6000
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.3 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+109%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	1.5 MB (total)+200%
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Jasper Lake (2021)
PassMark	2,990	2,989
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,911
Geekbench 6 Single	946+100%	473
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,090

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6200U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Silver N6000 uses BGA1338 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6200U versus DDR4-2933 on the Pentium Silver N6000 — the Pentium Silver N6000 supports 37.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6200U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-6200U) vs 8 (Pentium Silver N6000) — the Core i5-6200U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Integrated (Core i5-6200U) and SoC (Pentium Silver N6000).

Feature	Core i5-6200U	Pentium Silver N6000
Socket	BGA1356	BGA1338
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2933+38%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12+50%	8

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 520 (Core i5-6200U) and UHD Graphics (32 EU) (Pentium Silver N6000) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6200U targets Mainstream Laptop, Pentium Silver N6000 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-6200U rivals A12-9700P; Pentium Silver N6000 rivals Celeron N5105.

Feature	Core i5-6200U	Pentium Silver N6000
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 520	UHD Graphics (32 EU)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Budget