Core i5-7400T vs Core i5-6500T
Core i5-7400T
Core i5-6500T
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 i5-7400T is positioned at rank 666 and the Core i5-6500T is on rank 493, so the Core i5-6500T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7400T
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6500T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-7400T | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($78) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-7400T | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+126%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($78) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
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 i5-7400T and Core i5-6500T
Core i5-7400T
The Core i5-7400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,692 points. Launch price was $187.
Core i5-6500T
The Core i5-6500T 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 4,764 points. Launch price was $192.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-7400T and Core i5-6500T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-7400T versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6500T — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-6500T (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-7400T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6500T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7400T scores 4,692 against the Core i5-6500T's 4,764 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-6500T. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-7400T | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 3.1 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.5 GHz+4% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 4,692 | 4,764+2% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,334 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,069 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,463 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i5-7400T | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-7400T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6500T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7400T) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6500T targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-7400T | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 630 | HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-7400T launched at $182 MSRP, while the Core i5-6500T debuted at $117. At current prices ($78 vs $35), the Core i5-6500T is $43 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7400T delivers 60.2 pts/$ vs 136.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-6500T — making the Core i5-6500T the 77.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-7400T | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $182 | $117-36% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $78 | $35-55% |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.2 | 136.1+126% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2015 |
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