Core i5-6440HQ vs Processor 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 i5-6440HQ vs Processor 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 i5-6440HQ vs Processor 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 i5-6440HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Processor N150 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Processor N150 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Processor N150 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N150

2024

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,016 vs 5,021).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6440HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6440HQ better than Processor N150?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Processor N150 is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6440HQ pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6440HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6440HQ is the better buy right now. Core i5-6440HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Processor N150 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Processor N150 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2015) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-6440HQ vs Processor N150 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6440HQ

The Core i5-6440HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,021 points. Launch price was $250.

Processor N150

The Processor N150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 November 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 5,016 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6440HQ and Processor N150 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6440HQ versus 3.6 GHz on the Processor N150 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Processor N150 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i5-6440HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Processor N150 uses Twin Lake (2024−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6440HQ scores 5,021 against the Processor N150's 5,016 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-6440HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6440HQ vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N150.

Feature	Core i5-6440HQ	Processor N150
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+2500%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB (total)+100%
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Twin Lake (2024−2025)
PassMark	5,021	5,016

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6440HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N150 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6440HQ	Processor N150
Socket	BGA1440	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 (Core i5-6440HQ) / not specified (Processor N150). The Core i5-6440HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Processor N150 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6440HQ targets Mobile.