Core i5-6500T vs Core i5-7442EQ

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 i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ: 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

✅Costs $133 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 110.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.7 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,764 vs 4,834).
❌40% higher power demand at 35W vs 25W.

Core i5-7442EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 25W instead of 35W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 40.7 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7442EQ better than Core i5-6500T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6500T is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7442EQ comes in 113.7% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. Core i5-6500T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 110.6% better value on paper (40.7 vs 19.3 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7442EQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and 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 i5-6500T vs Core i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ

The Core i5-7442EQ 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. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,834 points. Launch price was $250.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6500T and Core i5-7442EQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6500T versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i5-7442EQ — a 38.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-6500T. The Core i5-6500T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7442EQ uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6500T scores 4,764 against the Core i5-7442EQ's 4,834 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-7442EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6500T vs 6 MB on the Core i5-7442EQ.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Core i5-7442EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+48%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,764	4,834+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	728
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,387

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6500T versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7442EQ — the Core i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ
Socket	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

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6500T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7442EQ). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6500T) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7442EQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6500T targets Desktop, Core i5-7442EQ targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Core i5-7442EQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6500T was priced at $117, while the Core i5-7442EQ came in at $250. On launch pricing ($117 vs $250), Core i5-6500T was $133 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6500T delivers 40.7 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-7442EQ — making the Core i5-6500T the 71.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Core i5-7442EQ
MSRP	$117-53%	$250
Performance per Dollar	40.7+111%	19.3
Release Date	2015	2017

Search Core i5-6500T on Amazon

Search Core i5-7442EQ on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.