Core i5-6600K vs Core i7-4760HQ

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 i5-6600K vs Core i7-4760HQ 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 i5-6600K vs Core i7-4760HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6600K

2015

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4760HQ across 27 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $242 MSRP, while Core i7-4760HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌93.6% higher power demand at 91W vs 47W.

Core i7-4760HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 27 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 91W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,300 vs 6,301).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6600K better than Core i7-4760HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4760HQ is ahead with a 4.8% average FPS lead across 27 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6600K pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i7-4760HQ 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 i5-6600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6600K is the better buy right now. Core i5-6600K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $242 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4760HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.8% average FPS lead across 27 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6600K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6600K vs Core i7-4760HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6600K

The Core i5-6600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 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): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,301 points. Launch price was $242.

Core i7-4760HQ

The Core i7-4760HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,300 points. Launch price was $434.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4760HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600K versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-4760HQ — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-6600K uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4760HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600K scores 6,301 against the Core i7-4760HQ's 6,300 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-6600K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600K vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4760HQ.

Feature	Core i5-6600K	Core i7-4760HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+18%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+67%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,301	6,300

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4760HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.