CPU
GPU
Core i5-6260U
Core i5-6300U
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-6260U is positioned at rank 406 and the Core i5-6300U is on rank 310, so the Core i5-6300U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6260U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6300U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6260U | Core i5-6300U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6260U | Core i5-6300U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6260U and Core i5-6300U
Core i5-6260U
The Core i5-6260U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 3,200 points. Launch price was $304.
Core i5-6300U
The Core i5-6300U 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 3,207 points. Launch price was $281.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-6260U and Core i5-6300U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-6300U — a 3.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-6300U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-6260U scores 3,200 against the Core i5-6300U's 3,207 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6300U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 979 vs 967, a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-6260U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-6260U vs 3 MB on the Core i5-6300U.
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | Core i5-6300U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | 2.4 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB+33% | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512 kB |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 3,200 | 3,207 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 979+1% | 967 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the BGA1356 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Skylake-U (Core i5-6260U) and Skylake-U (Core i5-6300U).
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | Core i5-6300U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | BGA1356 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 12 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 540 (Core i5-6260U) and HD Graphics 520 (Core i5-6300U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-6300U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P; Core i5-6300U rivals PRO A12-9800B.
| Feature | Core i5-6260U | Core i5-6300U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Iris Graphics 540 | HD Graphics 520 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Mainstream Laptop |
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