Core i7-950 vs Core i7-6500U

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 i7-950 is positioned at rank 1067 and the Core i7-6500U is on rank 302, so the Core i7-6500U 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 i7-950

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

53930%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

50958%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

37000%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

11147%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

8829%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

7724%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

4424%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

4366%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3975%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3975%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3931%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

3825%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

3771%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

3756%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

3722%

#1067

Core i7-950

MSRP: $562|Avg: $15

100%

#1068

Sempron 3100+

MSRP: $65|Avg: $15

99%

#1069

Athlon II X4 635

MSRP: $400|Avg: $250

97%

#1070

Core 2 Duo E6750

MSRP: $183|Avg: $15

97%

#1071

Core i7-940

MSRP: $562|Avg: $90

93%

#1072

Celeron 2.40

MSRP: $69|Avg: $13

87%

#1073

Sempron 2800+

MSRP: $65|Avg: $29

85%

#1074

Athlon 64 3100+

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

82%

#1075

Sempron 3600+

MSRP: $105|Avg: $20

80%

#1076

Celeron 2.80

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

74%

#1077

Athlon 64 X2 6000+

MSRP: $450|Avg: $20

70%

#1078

Athlon 64 3600+

MSRP: $149|Avg: $15

69%

#1079

Core 2 Quad Q6700

MSRP: $530|Avg: $50

68%

#1080

Athlon 64 2600+

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

68%

#1081

Celeron 2.20

MSRP: $79|Avg: $15

67%

#1082

Athlon 64 X2 5200+

MSRP: $420|Avg: $15

62%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6500U

#290

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

448%

#291

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

442%

#292

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

406%

#293

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

404%

#294

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

400%

#296

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

386%

#297

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

371%

#298

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

370%

#299

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

360%

#302

Core i7-6500U

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 i7-6500U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-950	Core i7-6500U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-950 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-950	Core i7-6500U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 i7-950 Benchmark Check

Core i7-6500U Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-950 and Core i7-6500U

Core i7-950

The Core i7-950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,250 points. Launch price was $290.

Core i7-6500U

The Core i7-6500U 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 3,271 points. Launch price was $393.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-950 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-6500U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-950 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-950 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-6500U — a 7.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-950 (base: 3.06 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-950 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-6500U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-950 scores 3,250 against the Core i7-6500U's 3,271 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-6500U. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-950 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6500U.

Feature	Core i7-950	Core i7-6500U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.33 GHz+7%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.06 GHz+22%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Bloomfield (2008−2010)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,250	3,271

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-950 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-6500U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.