Core i5-6600 vs Core i7-5700HQ

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 i5-6600 vs Core i7-5700HQ 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 i5-6600 vs Core i7-5700HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6600

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-5700HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $224 MSRP, while Core i7-5700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Core i7-5700HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,037 vs 6,058).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6600 better than Core i7-5700HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-5700HQ is ahead with a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6600 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-6600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $224 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-5700HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (27.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-5700HQ is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-6600 vs Core i7-5700HQ Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-5700HQ

The Core i7-5700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,037 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-5700HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-5700HQ — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-6600 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5700HQ uses Broadwell-H (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600 scores 6,058 against the Core i7-5700HQ's 6,037 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-6600. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Core i7-5700HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+22%	2.7 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)	Broadwell-H (2015)
PassMark	6,058	6,037

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5700HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.