Core i7-6650U vs Pentium G4560

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 Pentium G4560 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 Pentium G4560: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 51W, a 36W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium G4560 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G4560 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G4560

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 610, while Core i7-6650U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,536 vs 3,557).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $64 MSRP, while Core i7-6650U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌240% higher power demand at 51W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4560 better than Core i7-6650U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G4560 is ahead with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6650U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-6650U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6650U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium G4560 is the better buy right now. Pentium G4560 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $64 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-6650U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (55.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium G4560 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6650U vs Pentium G4560 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.

Pentium G4560

The Pentium G4560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,536 points. Launch price was $108.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6650U and Pentium G4560 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6650U versus 3.5 GHz on the Pentium G4560 — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Pentium G4560 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-6650U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium G4560 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6650U scores 3,557 against the Pentium G4560's 3,536 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-6650U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-6650U vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G4560.

Feature	Core i7-6650U	Pentium G4560
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+59%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,557	3,536

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6650U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G4560 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6650U	Pentium G4560
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-6650U) / VT-x, VT-d (Pentium G4560). The Pentium G4560 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Core i7-6650U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G4560 targets Desktop.