Core i5-6500 vs Core i7-3720QM

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 i7-3720QM 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 i7-3720QM: 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

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3720QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $239 MSRP, while Core i7-3720QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i7-3720QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,591 vs 5,600).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6500 better than Core i7-3720QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3720QM is ahead with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6500 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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 0.2% 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 the better buy right now. Core i5-6500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $239 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3720QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-6500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6500 vs Core i7-3720QM 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 i7-3720QM

The Core i7-3720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,591 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3720QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-6500 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3720QM — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-6500 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3720QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6500 scores 5,600 against the Core i7-3720QM's 5,591 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6500. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-6500	Core i7-3720QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	5,600	5,591

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.