Pentium Gold 6500Y vs Pentium Silver

Intel

Pentium Gold 6500Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2021
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VS
Intel

Pentium Silver

W2020
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Pentium Gold 6500Y vs Pentium Silver Performance Spectrum

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.

Pentium Gold 6500Y vs Pentium Silver 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.

Pentium Gold 6500Y vs Pentium Silver: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Gold 6500Y

2021

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Silver across 40 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (2,966 vs 2,989).

    Pentium Silver

    2020

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +16.5% higher average FPS across 40 shared CPU benchmark tests.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Pentium Silver better than Pentium Gold 6500Y?
    Yes. Pentium Silver is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.5% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Pentium Silver is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.5% more average FPS across 40 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Silver is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Pentium Silver still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Silver comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.5% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Pentium Gold 6500Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Pentium Gold 6500Y vs Pentium Silver Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Pentium Gold 6500Y

    The Pentium Gold 6500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: 2,966 points. Launch price was $69.

    Intel

    Pentium Silver

    The Pentium Silver is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 2,989 points. Launch price was $69.

    Processing Power

    The Pentium Gold 6500Y is built on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium Gold 6500Y scores 2,966 against the Pentium Silver's 2,989 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium Silver.

    FeaturePentium Gold 6500YPentium Silver
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 4
    Boost Clock
    3.4 GHz
    Base Clock
    1.1 GHz
    L3 Cache
    4 MB
    L2 Cache
    512 kB
    Process
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
    PassMark
    2,966
    2,989