Core i5-6600T vs Core i5-7440HQ

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 i5-6600T vs Core i5-7440HQ 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 i5-6600T vs Core i5-7440HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6600T

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,175 vs 1,277).
❌Launch MSRP is still $213 MSRP, while Core i5-7440HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-7440HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+8.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,490 vs 5,565).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6600T better than Core i5-7440HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7440HQ is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6600T pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6600T 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 i5-6600T is the better buy right now. Core i5-6600T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $213 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-7440HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7440HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-6600T vs Core i5-7440HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6600T

The Core i5-6600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,565 points. Launch price was $192.

Core i5-7440HQ

The Core i5-7440HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,490 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6600T and Core i5-7440HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6600T versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7440HQ — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-7440HQ (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-6600T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7440HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600T scores 5,565 against the Core i5-7440HQ's 5,490 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-6600T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,175 vs 1,277, a 8.3% lead for the Core i5-7440HQ that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-6600T	Core i5-7440HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
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)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	5,565+1%	5,490
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,083	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,175	1,277+9%
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,212	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6600T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7440HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6600T versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7440HQ — the Core i5-7440HQ supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170,Q150,Q170,B250,Q250,H270,Z270 (Core i5-6600T) and HM175,QM175 (Core i5-7440HQ).

Feature	Core i5-6600T	Core i5-7440HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6600T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7440HQ). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6600T) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7440HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6600T targets Office, Core i5-7440HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6600T rivals AMD Athlon II X4 640; Core i5-7440HQ rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.

Feature	Core i5-6600T	Core i5-7440HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Office	High Performance Laptop