Core i5-6400T

The Core i5-6400T is a 4-core / 4-thread processor based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 2.8 GHz from a base frequency of 2.2 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 6 MB of L3 cache, plus 1 MB of L2 cache and 256 kB of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 4,243, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product. Geekbench 6 single-core (the most relevant metric for gaming FPS) records 950, while multi-core reaches 2,600. Cinebench R23 multi-core (measuring sustained rendering workload performance) scores 2,200.

The Core i5-6400T fits into the LGA1151 socket and supports PCIe 3.0 with 16 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports DDR3, DDR4 memory at speeds up to DDR4-2133 (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 64 GB across 2 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth). Integrated graphics: HD 530 — allows display output without a dedicated GPU, useful for troubleshooting and light tasks.

The Core i5-6400T is primarily designed for Budget. Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d — enables running virtual machines efficiently (important for development and server workloads). Its primary market competitor is the Core i3-7100.

The Core i5-6400T has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 35 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed. It ships with the Yes stock cooler. Recommended cooling: Stock.

At an average price of $40 (MSRP: $192), the Core i5-6400T delivers 106 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #1981 out of all indexed processors.