Core i5-6442EQ vs Pentium Gold G6605

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 i5-6442EQ vs Pentium Gold G6605 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 i5-6442EQ vs Pentium Gold G6605: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-6442EQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 58W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Gold G6605 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,483 vs 4,488).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6605 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G6605

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌132% higher power demand at 58W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G6605 better than Core i5-6442EQ?

Yes. Pentium Gold G6605 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium Gold G6605 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.8% 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, Pentium Gold G6605 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold G6605 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G6605 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6442EQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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

Pentium Gold G6605 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6442EQ vs Pentium Gold G6605 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium Gold G6605

The Pentium Gold G6605 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,488 points. Launch price was $86.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6442EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6605 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 4.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6605 — a 77.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6605. The Core i5-6442EQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6605 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6442EQ scores 4,483 against the Pentium Gold G6605's 4,488 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium Gold G6605. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6442EQ vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6605.

Feature	Core i5-6442EQ	Pentium Gold G6605
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.9 GHz	4.3 GHz+126%
Base Clock	—	4.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	4,483	4,488