Core i5-8350U
VS
Core i5-6600

Core i5-8350U vs Core i5-6600

Intel

Core i5-8350U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Core i5-6600

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2015

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 i5-8350U is positioned at rank 866 and the Core i5-6600 is on rank 641, so the Core i5-6600 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 i5-8350U

#854
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1428%
#855
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1407%
#856
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1291%
#857
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1286%
#858
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1274%
#860
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1230%
#861
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1180%
#862
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1178%
#863
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1146%
#866
Core i5-8350U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#867
Core i7-1160G7
MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A
100%
#873
Celeron M 540
MSRP: $86|Avg: $20
99%
#877
Microsoft SQ1
MSRP: $300|Avg: $180
98%
#879
Core i5-6440HQ
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
98%
#881
Celeron Dual-Core T1600
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
11528%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
10893%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
7909%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
2383%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
1887%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
1651%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
946%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
933%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
850%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
850%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
840%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
818%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
806%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
803%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
796%
#387
Ryzen Embedded V1807B
MSRP: $300|Avg: $300
99%
#388
Ryzen Embedded R2312
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
97%
#641
Core i5-6600
MSRP: $224|Avg: $90
100%
#642
Core i5-4460
MSRP: $182|Avg: $40
100%
#645
Core i3-4170T
MSRP: $117|Avg: $17
99%
#646
FX-8370E
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
99%
#647
Core i5-4590S
MSRP: $192|Avg: $45
99%
#648
Pentium G2020
MSRP: $64|Avg: $15
99%
#649
Pentium G3450
MSRP: $82|Avg: $25
98%
#650
Core i7-6700
MSRP: $303|Avg: $143
98%
#651
Athlon II X4 631
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
98%
#652
Pentium G3240T
MSRP: $64|Avg: $15
98%
#653
Core i3-4160T
MSRP: $117|Avg: $18
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-8350U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i5-8350UCore i5-6600
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($90)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-6600 (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i5-8350UCore i5-6600
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($90)

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 i5-8350U and Core i5-6600

Intel

Core i5-8350U

The Core i5-8350U 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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. Passmark benchmark score: 6,102 points. Launch price was $297.

Intel

Core i5-6600

The Core i5-6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,058 points. Launch price was $224.

Processing Power

The Core i5-8350U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-6600's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-8350U versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-8350U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6600 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8350U scores 6,102 against the Core i5-6600's 6,058 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-8350U. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-8350UCore i5-6600
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz
3.9 GHz+8%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
3.3 GHz+94%
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 Refresh (2017−2019)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
6,102
6,058
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8350U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6600 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-8350UCore i5-6600
Socket
BGA1356
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0