Core i5-6600 vs Microsoft SQ1
Core i5-6600
Microsoft SQ1
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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 Microsoft SQ1 is on rank 877, so the Core i5-6600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600
Performance Per Dollar Microsoft SQ1
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6600 | Microsoft SQ1 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($90) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6600 | Microsoft SQ1 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+101%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($90) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6600 and Microsoft SQ1
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.
Microsoft SQ1
The Microsoft SQ1 is manufactured by Microsoft. It was released in 2 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 6,039 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Microsoft SQ1 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Microsoft SQ1 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 versus 3 GHz on the Microsoft SQ1 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600. The Core i5-6600 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Microsoft SQ1 uses Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600 scores 6,058 against the Microsoft SQ1's 6,039 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-6600. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600 vs 2 MB on the Microsoft SQ1.
| Feature | Core i5-6600 | Microsoft SQ1 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 8 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+30% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total)+200% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) |
| PassMark | 6,058 | 6,039 |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-6600 launched at $224 MSRP, while the Microsoft SQ1 debuted at $300. At current prices ($90 vs $180), the Core i5-6600 is $90 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6600 delivers 67.3 pts/$ vs 33.5 pts/$ for the Microsoft SQ1 — making the Core i5-6600 the 66.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-6600 | Microsoft SQ1 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $224-25% | $300 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $90-50% | $180 |
| Performance per Dollar | 67.3+101% | 33.5 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2019 |
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