Core i7-860S vs Core m5-6Y57

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 i7-860S vs Core m5-6Y57 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 i7-860S vs Core m5-6Y57: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-860S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core m5-6Y57.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,324 vs 2,342).
❌
6.4% HIGHER MSRP
$299 MSRPvs$281 MSRP
❌1722.2% higher power demand at 82W vs 4.5W.

Core m5-6Y57

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $18 less on MSRP ($281 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 5W instead of 82W, a 78W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-860S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-860S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core m5-6Y57 better than Core i7-860S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-860S is ahead with a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m5-6Y57 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i7-860S also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core m5-6Y57 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core m5-6Y57 is the better buy right now. Core m5-6Y57 comes in $18 cheaper on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-860S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 7.2% better value on MSRP (8.3 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core m5-6Y57 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-860S vs Core m5-6Y57 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-860S

The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.

Core m5-6Y57

The Core m5-6Y57 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,342 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-860S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core m5-6Y57 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-860S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S versus 2.8 GHz on the Core m5-6Y57 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-860S (base: 2.53 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-860S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core m5-6Y57 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860S scores 2,324 against the Core m5-6Y57's 2,342 — a 0.8% lead for the Core m5-6Y57. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S vs 4 MB (total) on the Core m5-6Y57.

Feature	Core i7-860S	Core m5-6Y57
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz+24%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.53 GHz+130%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark	2,324	2,342
Geekbench 6 Single	451	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,332	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-860S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core m5-6Y57 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-860S	Core m5-6Y57
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i7-860S) / not specified (Core m5-6Y57).

Feature	Core i7-860S	Core m5-6Y57
Integrated GPU	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-860S was priced at $299, while the Core m5-6Y57 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($299 vs $281), Core m5-6Y57 was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-860S delivers 7.8 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the Core m5-6Y57 — making the Core m5-6Y57 the 7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-860S	Core m5-6Y57
MSRP	$299	$281-6%
Performance per Dollar	7.8	8.3+6%
Release Date	2010	2015

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