N150 vs Core i5-6400

CPU

GPU

N150

4 Cores4 Thrd−WMax: 3.6 GHz2025

Core i5-6400

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

N150

4 / 4

5,418

0.0%

5,417

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 N150 is positioned at rank 98 and the Core i5-6400 is on rank 600, so the N150 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 N150

#86

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

271%

#87

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

267%

#88

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

245%

#89

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

244%

#90

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

242%

#92

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

233%

#93

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

224%

#94

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

223%

#95

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

217%

#98

N150

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $128

100%

#102

N100

MSRP: $128|Avg: $128

99%

#106

Ryzen 5 2500U

MSRP: $349|Avg: N/A

97%

#109

Celeron 4305U

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

#110

Celeron J1850

MSRP: $82|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6400

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

10474%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

9897%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

7186%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2165%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1715%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1500%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

859%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

848%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

772%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

772%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

763%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

743%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

732%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

729%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

723%

#279

Ryzen Threadripper 1920X

MSRP: $799|Avg: $265

97%

#280

Core i7-7820X

MSRP: $599|Avg: $198

96%

#600

Core i5-6400

MSRP: $182|Avg: $57

100%

#602

Pentium G3460T

MSRP: $69|Avg: N/A

99%

#603

Core i3-6300

MSRP: $147|Avg: $99

99%

#604

Core i5-6402P

MSRP: $182|Avg: $120

99%

#605

Athlon II X4 620e

MSRP: $99|Avg: $40

99%

#606

Core i5-7600

MSRP: $224|Avg: $114

99%

#608

FX-9590

MSRP: $350|Avg: $100

98%

#611

Athlon X4 750

MSRP: $95|Avg: $95

97%

#613

A6-3600

MSRP: $95|Avg: $25

96%

#614

Core i7-7740X

MSRP: $339|Avg: $150

96%

#615

Core i3-4130

MSRP: $117|Avg: $55

96%

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 N150 (2025) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	N150	Core i5-6400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($128)	✅ More affordable ($57)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-6400 (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	N150	Core i5-6400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+125%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($128)	✅ More affordable ($57)

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.

N150 Benchmark Check

Core i5-6400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of N150 and Core i5-6400

N150

The N150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 5,418 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-6400

The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the N150 and Core i5-6400 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the N150 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the N150. The Core i5-6400 is built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. In PassMark, the N150 scores 5,418 against the Core i5-6400's 5,417 — a 0% lead for the N150. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N150 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6400.

Feature	N150	Core i5-6400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	—	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,418	5,417
Geekbench 6 Single	—	950
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

The N150 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-6400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	N150	Core i5-6400
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (N150) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6400). The Core i5-6400 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the N150 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.

Feature	N150	Core i5-6400
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Mainstream Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($128 vs $57), the Core i5-6400 is $71 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the N150 delivers 42.3 pts/$ vs 95.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-6400 — making the Core i5-6400 the 76.7% better value option.