Core i7-6500U vs Core i5-L16G7

CPU

GPU

Core i7-6500U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2015

Core i5-L16G7

5 Cores5 Thrd7 WWMax: 3 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-6500U

2 / 4

3,271

0.0%

3,280

+0.3%

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 i7-6500U is positioned at rank 302 and the Core i5-L16G7 is on rank 1040, so the Core i7-6500U 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 Core i5-L16G7

#1028

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2514%

#1029

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2477%

#1030

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2274%

#1031

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2264%

#1032

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2243%

#1034

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2166%

#1035

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2077%

#1036

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2074%

#1037

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2018%

#1040

Core i5-L16G7

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1042

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

99%

#1043

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

99%

#1044

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1045

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

98%

#1046

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1047

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

97%

#1048

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

97%

#1049

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

97%

#1050

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

96%

#1051

Core 2 Duo U7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1052

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

95%

#1053

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

95%

#1054

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

94%

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-L16G7 (2020) utilizes 10 nm technology and LPDDR4X-4267, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-6500U	Core i5-L16G7
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 (Lakefield (2020) / 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	Core i5-L16G7
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

Core i5-L16G7 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-6500U and Core i5-L16G7

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.

Core i5-L16G7

The Core i5-L16G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Lakefield (2020) architecture. It features 5 cores and 5 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FC-CSP1016. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 3,280 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-6500U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-L16G7 offers 5 cores / 5 threads — the Core i5-L16G7 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-6500U versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-L16G7 — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-6500U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i7-6500U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-L16G7 uses Lakefield (2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6500U scores 3,271 against the Core i5-L16G7's 3,280 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-L16G7. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-6500U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-L16G7.

Feature	Core i7-6500U	Core i5-L16G7
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	5 / 5+150%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+79%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Lakefield (2020)
PassMark	3,271	3,280

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6500U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-L16G7 uses FC-CSP1016 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6500U	Core i5-L16G7
Socket	BGA1356	FC-CSP1016
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	9

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-6500U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-L16G7). The Core i5-L16G7 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i7-6500U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-L16G7 targets Mobile.