Core i5-6260U vs Core i7-870

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 i5-6260U vs Core i7-870 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 i5-6260U vs Core i7-870: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6260U

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Graphics 540, while Core i7-870 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-870.

Core i7-870

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-6260U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,164 vs 3,200).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core i5-6260U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6260U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-870 better than Core i5-6260U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-870 is ahead with a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6260U pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-870 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6260U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-870 is the better buy right now. Core i7-870 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-6260U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-6260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6260U vs Core i7-870 Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-870

The Core i7-870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6260U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-870 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-870 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 — a 21.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-870 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Core i5-6260U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-870 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6260U scores 3,200 against the Core i7-870's 3,164 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-6260U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 979 vs 476, a 69.1% lead for the Core i5-6260U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-6260U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870.

Feature	Core i5-6260U	Core i7-870
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.93 GHz+63%
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	3,200+1%	3,164
Geekbench 6 Single	979+106%	476
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,541

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6260U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-870 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6260U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-870 — the Core i5-6260U supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6260U 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 i5-6260U) vs 16 (Core i7-870) — the Core i7-870 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Skylake-U (Core i5-6260U) and P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-870).

Feature	Core i5-6260U	Core i7-870
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6260U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-870). The Core i5-6260U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 540), while the Core i7-870 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-870 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P.

Feature	Core i5-6260U	Core i7-870
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Graphics 540	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Legacy Desktop