Core i5-6400 vs N150

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 N150 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 N150: 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: +4.8% 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 N150 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike N150.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,417 vs 5,418).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while N150 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while N150 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

N150

2025

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅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.
❌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 N150?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6400 is ahead with a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, N150 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, N150 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% 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 $182 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that N150 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (29.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

N150 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2015), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-6400 vs N150 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.

N150

The N150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 5,418 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6400 and N150 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 versus 3.6 GHz on the N150 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the N150. The Core i5-6400 is built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-6400 scores 5,417 against the N150's 5,418 — a 0% lead for the N150. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6400 vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N150.

Feature	Core i5-6400	N150
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
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	5,418
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 N150 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6400	N150
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 (N150). The Core i5-6400 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the N150 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.