Core i5-6600 vs Core i5-10210U

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-6600 is positioned at rank 641 and the Core i5-10210U is on rank 868, so the Core i5-6600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

11528%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

10893%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

7909%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2383%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1887%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1651%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

946%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

933%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

850%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

850%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

840%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

818%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

806%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

803%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

796%

#387

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

99%

#388

Ryzen Embedded R2312

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

97%

#641

Core i5-6600

MSRP: $224|Avg: $90

100%

#642

Core i5-4460

MSRP: $182|Avg: $40

100%

#645

Core i3-4170T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $17

99%

#646

FX-8370E

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

99%

#647

Core i5-4590S

MSRP: $192|Avg: $45

99%

#648

Pentium G2020

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

99%

#649

Pentium G3450

MSRP: $82|Avg: $25

98%

#650

Core i7-6700

MSRP: $303|Avg: $143

98%

#651

Athlon II X4 631

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

98%

#652

Pentium G3240T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

98%

#653

Core i3-4160T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $18

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10210U

#856

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1435%

#857

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1414%

#858

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1298%

#859

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1293%

#860

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1281%

#862

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1237%

#863

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1186%

#864

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1184%

#865

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1152%

#868

Core i5-10210U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#873

Celeron M 540

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

99%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

98%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

98%

#883

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-10210U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-6600	Core i5-10210U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($90)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-6600 (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-6600	Core i5-10210U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($90)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-6600 Benchmark Check

Core i5-10210U Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6600 and Core i5-10210U

Core i5-6600

The Core i5-6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,058 points. Launch price was $224.

Core i5-10210U

The Core i5-10210U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,071 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-6600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i5-10210U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-10210U — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10210U (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-6600 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10210U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600 scores 6,058 against the Core i5-10210U's 6,071 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-10210U. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Core i5-10210U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.2 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+106%	1.6 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)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	6,058	6,071

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10210U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.