Core i5-6400 vs Core i7-4712HQ

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 i7-4712HQ 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 i7-4712HQ: 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

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Core i7-4712HQ needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i7-4712HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4712HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i7-4712HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 37W.

Core i7-4712HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 37W instead of 65W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,350 vs 5,417).
❌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 i5-6400 better than Core i7-4712HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4712HQ is ahead with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6400 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Core i7-4712HQ also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-6400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $182 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4712HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (29.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6400 vs Core i7-4712HQ 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 i7-4712HQ

The Core i7-4712HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,350 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4712HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-4712HQ — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-6400 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4712HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6400 scores 5,417 against the Core i7-4712HQ's 5,350 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-6400. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6400 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4712HQ.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i7-4712HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+17%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,417+1%	5,350
Geekbench 6 Single	950	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,200	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4712HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6400	Core i7-4712HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
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 i5-6400) / not specified (Core i7-4712HQ). The Core i5-6400 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Core i7-4712HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.