Core i7-6500U vs Celeron N5100

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 i7-6500U is positioned at rank 302 and the Celeron N5100 is on rank 183, so the Celeron N5100 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 i7-6500U

#290

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

448%

#291

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

442%

#292

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

406%

#293

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

404%

#294

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

400%

#296

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

386%

#297

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

371%

#298

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

370%

#299

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

360%

#302

Core i7-6500U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron N5100

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

100%

#171

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

355%

#172

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

350%

#173

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

321%

#174

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

320%

#175

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

317%

#177

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

306%

#178

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

293%

#179

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

293%

#180

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

285%

#183

Celeron N5100

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#193

Pentium Gold 4417U

MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A

98%

#195

Atom N475

MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A

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 Celeron N5100 (2021) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-6500U	Celeron N5100
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Jasper Lake (2021) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-6500U (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-6500U	Celeron N5100
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Core i7-6500U Benchmark Check

Celeron N5100 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-6500U and Celeron N5100

Core i7-6500U

The Core i7-6500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,271 points. Launch price was $393.

Celeron N5100

The Celeron N5100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,305 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-6500U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron N5100 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron N5100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-6500U versus 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N5100 — a 10.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-6500U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-6500U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Celeron N5100 uses Jasper Lake (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6500U scores 3,271 against the Celeron N5100's 3,305 — a 1% lead for the Celeron N5100. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-6500U vs 4 MB (total) on the Celeron N5100.

Feature	Core i7-6500U	Celeron N5100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+11%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+127%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB	1.5 MB (total)+200%
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Jasper Lake (2021)
PassMark	3,271	3,305+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6500U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron N5100 uses BGA1338 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.