Core i5-6300HQ vs Xeon L5640

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 i5-6300HQ vs Xeon L5640 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 i5-6300HQ vs Xeon L5640: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6300HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 60W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Xeon L5640 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon L5640 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon L5640, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon L5640

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,659 vs 4,672).
❌Launch MSRP is still $996 MSRP, while Core i5-6300HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌33.3% higher power demand at 60W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6300HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6300HQ better than Xeon L5640?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon L5640 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-6300HQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6300HQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon L5640 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-6300HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $996 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon L5640 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon L5640 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-6300HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6300HQ vs Xeon L5640 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6300HQ

The Core i5-6300HQ 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,672 points. Launch price was $250.

Xeon L5640

The Xeon L5640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,659 points. Launch price was $200.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6300HQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon L5640 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon L5640 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6300HQ versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon L5640 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-6300HQ (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core i5-6300HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon L5640 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6300HQ scores 4,672 against the Xeon L5640's 4,659 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-6300HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6300HQ vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon L5640.

Feature	Core i5-6300HQ	Xeon L5640
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+2%	2.26 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	4,672	4,659
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6300HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon L5640 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6300HQ versus DDR3 1333 MHz on the Xeon L5640 — the Core i5-6300HQ supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon L5640 supports up to 288 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 350% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-6300HQ) vs 3 (Xeon L5640). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-6300HQ) vs 0 (Xeon L5640) — the Core i5-6300HQ offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM170,QM170 (Core i5-6300HQ) and Intel 5520,Intel X58 (Xeon L5640).

Feature	Core i5-6300HQ	Xeon L5640
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3 1333 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	288 GB+350%
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6300HQ) vs true (Xeon L5640). The Core i5-6300HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon L5640 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6300HQ targets Gaming Laptop, Xeon L5640 targets Server Low Power. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300HQ rivals A12-9730P.