Core i7-3635QM
VS
Core i5-6500T

Core i7-3635QM vs Core i5-6500T

Intel

Core i7-3635QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i5-6500T

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 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 i7-3635QM is positioned at rank 84 and the Core i5-6500T is on rank 493, so the Core i7-3635QM 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 i7-3635QM

#27
Core Ultra 7 265HX
MSRP: $450|Avg: N/A
92%
#72
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
248%
#73
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
245%
#74
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
225%
#75
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
224%
#76
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
221%
#78
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
214%
#79
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
205%
#80
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
205%
#81
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
199%
#84
Core i7-3635QM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#88
Core 2 Duo T7500
MSRP: $316|Avg: $5
98%
#98
N150
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $128
92%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6500T

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
7655%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
7233%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
5252%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
1582%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
1253%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
1096%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
628%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
620%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
564%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
564%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
558%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
543%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
535%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
533%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
528%
#256
Ryzen 7 1700X
MSRP: $399|Avg: $60
96%
#371
Core 5 120UL
MSRP: $277|Avg: $270
96%
#372
Ryzen Embedded V3C14
MSRP: $305|Avg: $305
96%
#493
Core i5-6500T
MSRP: $117|Avg: $35
100%
#494
FX-6330
MSRP: $109|Avg: $25
100%
#495
Celeron G1630
MSRP: $42|Avg: $5
100%
#499
Pentium G4400
MSRP: $64|Avg: $85
98%
#501
Core i5-8600K
MSRP: $257|Avg: $100
97%
#506
Athlon II X4 651
MSRP: $92|Avg: $92
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3635QM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-6500T is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.8% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i7-3635QMCore i5-6500T
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i7-3635QMCore i5-6500T
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($35)

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 i7-3635QM and Core i5-6500T

Intel

Core i7-3635QM

The Core i7-3635QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,728 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

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

The Core i7-3635QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-6500T's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-3635QM versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6500T — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3635QM (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-3635QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6500T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3635QM scores 4,728 against the Core i5-6500T's 4,764 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-6500T. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i7-3635QMCore i5-6500T
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz+10%
3.1 GHz
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
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
4,728
4,764
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3635QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6500T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-3635QMCore i5-6500T
Socket
FCBGA1224
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-3635QM) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6500T). The Core i5-6500T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i7-3635QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6500T targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i7-3635QMCore i5-6500T
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 530
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop