Core i5-6600 vs Core i7-8565U

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 i7-8565U 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 i7-8565U: 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

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8565U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $224 MSRP, while Core i7-8565U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i7-8565U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,976 vs 6,058).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8565U better than Core i5-6600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8565U is ahead with a 12.8% 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 1.4% better PassMark. Core i7-8565U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-8565U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8565U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $224 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (27.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8565U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-6600 vs Core i7-8565U 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 i7-8565U

The Core i7-8565U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,976 points. Launch price was $409.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-8565U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8565U — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-8565U (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-6600 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8565U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600 scores 6,058 against the Core i7-8565U's 5,976 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-6600. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8565U.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Core i7-8565U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.6 GHz+18%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+83%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	6,058+1%	5,976

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8565U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.