Core i5-6500T vs Core i5-7400T

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 i5-6500T vs Core i5-7400T 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 i5-6500T vs Core i5-7400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6500T

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $65 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.7 vs 25.8 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-7400T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400T.

Core i5-7400T

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-6500T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,692 vs 4,764).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.8 vs 40.7 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6500T better than Core i5-7400T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7400T is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6500T pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-6500T comes in $65 cheaper on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-7400T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 57.9% better value on MSRP (40.7 vs 25.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-6500T vs Core i5-7400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6500T

The Core i5-6500T 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 4,764 points. Launch price was $192.

Core i5-7400T

The Core i5-7400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,692 points. Launch price was $187.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6500T and Core i5-7400T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6500T versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-7400T — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-6500T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-6500T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7400T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6500T scores 4,764 against the Core i5-7400T's 4,692 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-6500T. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Core i5-7400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,764+2%	4,692
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,334
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,069
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,463

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6500T versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7400T — the Core i5-7400T supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Core i5-7400T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6500T) vs Yes (Core i5-7400T). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6500T) and Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6500T targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Core i5-7400T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	Intel HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6500T was priced at $117, while the Core i5-7400T came in at $182. On launch pricing ($117 vs $182), Core i5-6500T was $65 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6500T delivers 40.7 pts/$ vs 25.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-7400T — making the Core i5-6500T the 44.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Core i5-7400T
MSRP	$117-36%	$182
Performance per Dollar	40.7+58%	25.8
Release Date	2015	2017

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