Core i5-6600K
VS
Core i7-4760HQ

Core i5-6600K vs Core i7-4760HQ

Intel

Core i5-6600K

4 Cores4 Thrd91 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Core i7-4760HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2014

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 i5-6600K is positioned at rank 662 and the Core i7-4760HQ is on rank 990, so the Core i5-6600K 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 i5-6600K

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
11971%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
11311%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
8213%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
2474%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
1960%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
1714%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
982%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
969%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
882%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
882%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
872%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
849%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
837%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
834%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
826%
#390
Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
MSRP: $1799|Avg: $1247
98%
#662
Core i5-6600K
MSRP: $242|Avg: $105
100%
#663
Core i5-4440
MSRP: $184|Avg: $101
100%
#664
Core i3-4370
MSRP: $149|Avg: $41
99%
#665
Core i5-7500T
MSRP: $202|Avg: $130
99%
#666
Core i5-7400T
MSRP: $182|Avg: $78
99%
#667
Core i5-4670
MSRP: $213|Avg: $65
99%
#668
Core i5-4570S
MSRP: $195|Avg: $40
99%
#669
Pentium G2010
MSRP: $64|Avg: $5
98%
#671
Core i5-6500TE
MSRP: $192|Avg: $60
98%
#673
Celeron G550T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $5
98%
#674
Core i5-4430
MSRP: $182|Avg: $60
98%
#675
Pentium G2130
MSRP: $75|Avg: $8
98%
#677
Core i5-4460S
MSRP: $182|Avg: $50
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4760HQ

#978
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2021%
#979
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1991%
#980
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1828%
#981
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1820%
#982
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1803%
#984
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1741%
#985
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1669%
#986
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1667%
#987
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1622%
#990
Core i7-4760HQ
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#991
Pentium 8500
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
100%
#992
A6-8500P
MSRP: $100|Avg: $16
100%
#994
Core i7-4700EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $180
99%
#995
Core i3-8145UE
MSRP: $281|Avg: $50
99%
#996
Core i7-4712MQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $60
97%
#997
Core i7-3615QE
MSRP: $400|Avg: $100
97%
#998
Celeron M U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
96%
#999
3015Ce
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
96%
#1000
Core i7-4700MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
96%
#1001
Athlon II M340
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
96%
#1005
Pentium P6000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-6600K delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-4760HQ in both compute-intensive tasks (0% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i5-6600KCore i7-4760HQ
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($105)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i5-6600KCore i7-4760HQ
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($105)
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6600K and Core i7-4760HQ

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

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.

FeatureCore i5-6600KCore 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
🧠

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.

FeatureCore i5-6600KCore i7-4760HQ
Socket
LGA1151
BGA1364
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0