Core i5-6300U
VS
Core i5-4330M

Core i5-6300U vs Core i5-4330M

Intel

Core i5-6300U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Core i5-4330M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2013

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 i5-6300U is positioned at rank 310 and the Core i5-4330M is on rank 899, so the Core i5-6300U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6300U

#298
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
457%
#299
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
451%
#300
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
414%
#301
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
412%
#302
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
408%
#304
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
394%
#305
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
378%
#306
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
377%
#307
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
367%
#310
Core i5-6300U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4330M

#887
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1531%
#888
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1508%
#889
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1384%
#890
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1378%
#891
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1366%
#893
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1319%
#894
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1264%
#895
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1262%
#896
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1228%
#899
Core i5-4330M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#900
Core i7-8705G
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
100%
#902
Pentium Dual Core T2410
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
99%
#903
FX-8800P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $45
99%
#905
Core i7-8809G
MSRP: $450|Avg: $450
98%
#911
Core i7-6820HK
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
#912
Athlon II Neo K325
MSRP: $60|Avg: $25
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-4330M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-6300U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.2% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i5-6300UCore i5-4330M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i5-6300UCore i5-4330M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 i5-6300U and Core i5-4330M

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i5-4330M

The Core i5-4330M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,202 points. Launch price was $275.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6300U and Core i5-4330M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-6300U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-4330M — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-4330M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-6300U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4330M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6300U scores 3,207 against the Core i5-4330M's 3,202 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6300U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-6300U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4330M.

FeatureCore i5-6300UCore i5-4330M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3 GHz
3.5 GHz+17%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
2.8 GHz+17%
L3 Cache
3 MB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Skylake (2015−2016)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
3,207
3,202
Geekbench 6 Single
967
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6300U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4330M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6300U versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4330M — the Core i5-6300U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-6300U) vs 16 (Core i5-4330M) — the Core i5-4330M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-6300UCore i5-4330M
Socket
BGA1356
PGA946
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133+33%
DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
16+33%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6300U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4330M). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 520 (Core i5-6300U) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4330M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6300U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-4330M targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300U rivals PRO A12-9800B.

FeatureCore i5-6300UCore i5-4330M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 520
HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop
Mobile