Core i5-6400 vs N100

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 N100 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 N100: 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

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while N100 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike N100.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.8 vs 41.8 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $128 MSRP).
❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while N100 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

N100

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $54 less on MSRP ($128 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 40.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 41.8 vs 29.8 PassMark/$ ($128 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-6400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,355 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 N100?

Yes. Core i5-6400 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 and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-6400 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 i5-6400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% 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 easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-6400 comes in 42.2% more expensive on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $128 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. N100 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 6.3% in the shared gaming data.

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

N100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2015) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-6400 vs N100 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.

N100

The N100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 5,355 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6400 and N100 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 versus 3.4 GHz on the N100 — a 3% clock advantage for the N100. The Core i5-6400 is built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-6400 scores 5,417 against the N100's 5,355 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-6400. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6400 vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N100.

Feature	Core i5-6400	N100
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	—
PassMark	5,417+1%	5,355
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 N100 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6400	N100
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
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 (N100). The Core i5-6400 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the N100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-6400	N100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6400 was priced at $182, while the N100 came in at $128. On launch pricing ($182 vs $128), N100 was $54 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6400 delivers 29.8 pts/$ vs 41.8 pts/$ for the N100 — making the N100 the 33.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6400	N100
MSRP	$182	$128-30%
Performance per Dollar	29.8	41.8+40%
Release Date	2015	2023

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