Core i7-8500Y vs Core i7-6650U

Core i7-8500Y

2 Cores4 Thrd5 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2018

Core i7-6650U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-8500Y

2 / 4

3,590

+0.9%

3,557

0.0%

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 i7-8500Y is positioned at rank 1035 and the Core i7-6650U is on rank 436, so the Core i7-6650U 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 i7-8500Y

#1023

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2451%

#1024

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2415%

#1025

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2217%

#1026

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2207%

#1027

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2187%

#1029

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2112%

#1030

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2025%

#1031

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2022%

#1032

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1967%

#1035

Core i7-8500Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1037

Core i7-8665UE

MSRP: $409|Avg: $409

99%

#1038

Celeron T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#1039

Celeron Dual-Core T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $30

98%

#1042

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

97%

#1043

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

97%

#1044

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1045

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

96%

#1046

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1047

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

95%

#1048

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

94%

#1049

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

94%

#1050

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6650U

#424

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

577%

#425

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

569%

#426

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

522%

#427

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

520%

#428

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

515%

#430

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

498%

#431

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

477%

#432

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

476%

#433

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

463%

#436

Core i7-6650U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 i7-8500Y (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-8500Y	Core i7-6650U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-6650U (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-8500Y	Core i7-6650U
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 i7-8500Y Benchmark Check

Core i7-6650U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-8500Y and Core i7-6650U

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.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

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

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

🧠

Memory & Platform

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