Core i7-860S vs Core m5-6Y57
Core i7-860S
Core m5-6Y57
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i7-860S is positioned at rank 1033 and the Core m5-6Y57 is on rank 1123, so the Core i7-860S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-860S
Performance Per Dollar Core m5-6Y57
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-860S | Core m5-6Y57 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($96) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($281) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake-Y (2015) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-860S | Core m5-6Y57 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+190%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($96) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($281) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-860S and Core m5-6Y57
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.
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 | — |
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 | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
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 | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-860S launched at $299 MSRP, while the Core m5-6Y57 debuted at $281. At current prices ($96 vs $281), the Core i7-860S is $185 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-860S delivers 24.2 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the Core m5-6Y57 — making the Core i7-860S the 97.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Core m5-6Y57 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299 | $281-6% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $96-66% | $281 |
| Performance per Dollar | 24.2+192% | 8.3 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2015 |
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