Core i5-6442EQ vs Athlon 240GE
Core i5-6442EQ
Athlon 240GE
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core i5-6442EQ is positioned at rank #843 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6442EQ
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 240GE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6442EQ | Athlon 240GE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Zen (2017−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6442EQ | Athlon 240GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+131%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6442EQ and Athlon 240GE
Core i5-6442EQ
The Core i5-6442EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 4,483 points. Launch price was $250.
Athlon 240GE
The Athlon 240GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,561 points. Launch price was $75.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6442EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon 240GE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6442EQ has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-6442EQ versus 3.5 GHz on the Athlon 240GE — a 59.3% clock advantage for the Athlon 240GE. The Core i5-6442EQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Athlon 240GE uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6442EQ scores 4,483 against the Athlon 240GE's 4,561 — a 1.7% lead for the Athlon 240GE. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6442EQ vs 4 MB (total) on the Athlon 240GE.
| Feature | Core i5-6442EQ | Athlon 240GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.9 GHz | 3.5 GHz+84% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB+50% | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+100% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Zen (2017−2020) |
| PassMark | 4,483 | 4,561+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 930 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,200 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-6442EQ) / AMD-V (Athlon 240GE). The Athlon 240GE includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 3), while the Core i5-6442EQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 240GE targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon 240GE rivals Pentium Gold G5400.
| Feature | Core i5-6442EQ | Athlon 240GE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon Vega 3 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Budget Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-6442EQ launched at $250 MSRP, while the Athlon 240GE debuted at $75. At current prices ($250 vs $110), the Athlon 240GE is $140 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6442EQ delivers 17.9 pts/$ vs 41.5 pts/$ for the Athlon 240GE — making the Athlon 240GE the 79.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-6442EQ | Athlon 240GE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250 | $75-70% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $250 | $110-56% |
| Performance per Dollar | 17.9 | 41.5+132% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2018 |
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