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 i5-6400 vs Core i5-8365UE 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 i5-6400 vs Core i5-8365UE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6400

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $115 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).
✅Delivers 62.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.8 vs 18.3 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Core i5-8365UE needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i5-8365UE.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8365UE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,417 vs 5,435).
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i5-8365UE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.3 vs 29.8 PassMark/$ ($297 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-6400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8365UE better than Core i5-6400?

Yes. Core i5-8365UE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8365UE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8365UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8365UE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8365UE comes in 63.2% more expensive on MSRP at $297 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 62.6% better value on paper (29.8 vs 18.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-8365UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6400 vs Core i5-8365UE Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6400

The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.

Core i5-8365UE

The Core i5-8365UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,435 points. Launch price was $297.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-6400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i5-8365UE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8365UE — a 21.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-8365UE (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-6400 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8365UE uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6400 scores 5,417 against the Core i5-8365UE's 5,435 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-8365UE. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i5-8365UE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4.1 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+69%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	5,417	5,435
Geekbench 6 Single	950	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,200	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8365UE uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i5-8365UE
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1528
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	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6400) / not specified (Core i5-8365UE). The Core i5-6400 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-8365UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i5-8365UE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6400 was priced at $182, while the Core i5-8365UE came in at $297. On launch pricing ($182 vs $297), Core i5-6400 was $115 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6400 delivers 29.8 pts/$ vs 18.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-8365UE — making the Core i5-6400 the 47.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i5-8365UE
MSRP	$182-39%	$297
Performance per Dollar	29.8+63%	18.3
Release Date	2015	2019

Search Core i5-6400 on Amazon

Search Core i5-8365UE on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.