Core i5-6350HQ vs Core i5-6400T

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 i5-6350HQ vs Core i5-6400T 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 i5-6350HQ vs Core i5-6400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6350HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (803 vs 950).
❌4400% higher power demand at 45W vs 1W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-6400T.

Core i5-6400T

2015

Why buy it

✅+18.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 1W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-6350HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,243 vs 4,255).
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-6350HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6400T better than Core i5-6350HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6400T is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6350HQ pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6350HQ 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 i5-6400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-6400T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-6350HQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (22.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6350HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6350HQ vs Core i5-6400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6350HQ

The Core i5-6350HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (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 (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,255 points. Launch price was $306.

Core i5-6400T

The Core i5-6400T 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,243 points. Launch price was $192.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6350HQ and Core i5-6400T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6350HQ versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6400T — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-6350HQ (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-6350HQ uses the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6400T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6350HQ scores 4,255 against the Core i5-6400T's 4,243 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-6350HQ. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 803 vs 950, a 16.8% lead for the Core i5-6400T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6350HQ vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6400T.

Feature	Core i5-6350HQ	Core i5-6400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+5%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake-H (2015−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,255	4,243
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,200
Geekbench 6 Single	803	950+18%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6350HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6400T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Skylake-H (Core i5-6350HQ) and H110,B150,H170,Z170,Z270 (Core i5-6400T).

Feature	Core i5-6350HQ	Core i5-6400T
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6350HQ) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6400T). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Pro Graphics 580 (Core i5-6350HQ) and HD 530 (Core i5-6400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6350HQ targets High Performance Laptop, Core i5-6400T targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-6350HQ rivals FX-9830P; Core i5-6400T rivals Core i3-7100.

Feature	Core i5-6350HQ	Core i5-6400T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Pro Graphics 580	HD 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	High Performance Laptop	Budget