Core i5-6500 vs Core i5-6600T

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 i5-6500 vs Core i5-6600T 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 i5-6500 vs Core i5-6600T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6500

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.4 vs 26.1 PassMark/$ ($239 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6600T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-6600T

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $26 less on MSRP ($213 MSRP vs $239 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.1 vs 23.4 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $239 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Core i5-6500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-6500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,565 vs 5,600).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6500 better than Core i5-6600T?

Yes. Core i5-6500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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, Core i5-6500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% 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 i5-6500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6500 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-6500 comes in 12.2% more expensive on MSRP at $239 MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6600T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 11.5% better value on paper (26.1 vs 23.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-6500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i5-6500 vs Core i5-6600T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6500

The Core i5-6500 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 5,600 points. Launch price was $192.

Core i5-6600T

The Core i5-6600T 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 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,565 points. Launch price was $192.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6500 and Core i5-6600T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-6500 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6600T — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-6500 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-6500 scores 5,600 against the Core i5-6600T's 5,565 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-6500. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-6500	Core i5-6600T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+19%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,600	5,565
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	7,083
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,175
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,212

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-6500	Core i5-6600T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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: not specified (Core i5-6500) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6600T). The Core i5-6600T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-6500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6600T targets Office. Direct competitor: Core i5-6600T rivals AMD Athlon II X4 640.

Feature	Core i5-6500	Core i5-6600T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Office

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6500 was priced at $239, while the Core i5-6600T came in at $213. On launch pricing ($239 vs $213), Core i5-6600T was $26 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6500 delivers 23.4 pts/$ vs 26.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-6600T — making the Core i5-6600T the 10.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6500	Core i5-6600T
MSRP	$239	$213-11%
Performance per Dollar	23.4	26.1+12%
Release Date	2015	2015

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