Core i7-6650U vs Core i7-8500Y

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 i7-6650U vs Core i7-8500Y 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 i7-6650U vs Core i7-8500Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6650U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8500Y across 24 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,557 vs 3,590).
❌200% higher power demand at 15W vs 5W.

Core i7-8500Y

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 24 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 5W instead of 15W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8500Y better than Core i7-6650U?

Yes. Core i7-8500Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 24 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8500Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% more average FPS across 24 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8500Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-8500Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-8500Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 24 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-8500Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6650U vs Core i7-8500Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6650U

The Core i7-6650U 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: 3,557 points. Launch price was $415.

Core i7-8500Y

The Core i7-8500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,590 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6650U and Core i7-8500Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6650U versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8500Y — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8500Y (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i7-6650U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8500Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6650U scores 3,557 against the Core i7-8500Y's 3,590 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-8500Y. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-6650U	Core i7-8500Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+47%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	3,557	3,590

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6650U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8500Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.