Core i5-6350HQ vs Pentium Gold G6500

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 Pentium Gold G6500 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 Pentium Gold G6500: 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

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 58W, a 13W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics 580, while Pentium Gold G6500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Gold G6500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Pentium Gold G6500

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,185 vs 4,255).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌28.9% higher power demand at 58W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6350HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6350HQ better than Pentium Gold G6500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G6500 is ahead with a 4.7% 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 1.7% better PassMark. Core i5-6350HQ also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i5-6350HQ still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-6350HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark.

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

Pentium Gold G6500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-6350HQ vs Pentium Gold G6500 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.

Pentium Gold G6500

The Pentium Gold G6500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,185 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6350HQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6500 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6350HQ has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6350HQ versus 4.1 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6500 — a 24.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6500 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i5-6350HQ uses the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6500 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6350HQ scores 4,255 against the Pentium Gold G6500's 4,185 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-6350HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6350HQ vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6500.

Feature	Core i5-6350HQ	Pentium Gold G6500
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.1 GHz+28%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	4.1 GHz+78%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake-H (2015−2016)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	4,255+2%	4,185
Geekbench 6 Single	803	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6350HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6500 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6350HQ	Pentium Gold G6500
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6350HQ) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6500). The Core i5-6350HQ includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 580), while the Pentium Gold G6500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6350HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6350HQ rivals FX-9830P.