Core i5-8250U vs Core i7-6700TE

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 i5-8250U vs Core i7-6700TE 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 i5-8250U vs Core i7-6700TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8250U

2017

Why buy it

✅+23.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,158 vs 6,203).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-6700TE

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (914 vs 1,127).
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Core i5-8250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8250U better than Core i7-6700TE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-8250U is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700TE pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-6700TE 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 i7-6700TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i5-8250U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6700TE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-8250U 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 i5-8250U vs Core i7-6700TE Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8250U

The Core i5-8250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,158 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i7-6700TE

The Core i7-6700TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 6,203 points. Launch price was $303.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8250U and Core i7-6700TE share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-8250U versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6700TE — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-8250U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6700TE uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8250U scores 6,158 against the Core i7-6700TE's 6,203 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-6700TE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,127 vs 914, a 20.9% lead for the Core i5-8250U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8250U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-6700TE.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-6700TE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.4 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,158	6,203
Geekbench 6 Single	1,127+23%	914
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,244

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8250U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6700TE uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-8250U versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-6700TE — the Core i5-8250U supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-6700TE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-8250U) vs 16 (Core i7-6700TE) — the Core i7-6700TE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Kaby Lake-R (Core i5-8250U) and 100-series (Core i7-6700TE).

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-6700TE
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 620 (Core i5-8250U) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i7-6700TE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8250U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-6700TE targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-8250U rivals Ryzen 5 2500U; Core i7-6700TE rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-6700TE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 620	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Gaming