Core i5-6442EQ
CPU·Budget

Core i5-6442EQ

Intel

PassMark

4,483

MSRP

$250

AVG Price

$250

12 October 2015 (10 years ago)
25 Watt
Skylake (2015−2016)

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.

Overview

The Core i5-6442EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 4,483 points. Launch price was $250.

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.

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 i5-6442EQ

#919
Pentium G2030
MSRP: $85|Avg: $85
116%
#920
Pentium G2020T
MSRP: $64|Avg: $69
116%
#921
Pentium E5400
MSRP: $55|Avg: $49
115%
#922
Core i3-9300T
MSRP: $309|Avg: $309
114%
#923
Core i7-6820EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $344
114%
#924
Athlon XP 3000+
MSRP: $588|Avg: $20
114%
#925
Celeron 2.20
MSRP: $79|Avg: $15
113%
#926
Athlon 64 X2 5400+
MSRP: $485|Avg: $78
113%
#927
Phenom II X6 1065T
MSRP: $426|Avg: $170
112%
#928
Pentium G850
MSRP: $86|Avg: $75
111%
#929
Ryzen 3 2200GE
MSRP: $300|Avg: $300
110%
#930
Pentium III 1200
MSRP: $200|Avg: $10
109%
#931
Pentium G3470
MSRP: $150|Avg: $130
105%
#932
Core i7-875K
MSRP: $353|Avg: $175
101%
#933
Athlon XP 2700+
MSRP: $349|Avg: $20
100%
#934
Core i5-6442EQ
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
100%
#935
Core i7-4770TE
MSRP: $303|Avg: $303
92%
#936
Pentium G640T
MSRP: $64|Avg: $69
92%
#937
Athlon 64 2000+
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
92%
#938
Pentium 4 2.80
MSRP: $327|Avg: $25
91%
#939
Core i5-660
MSRP: $196|Avg: $150
91%
#940
Core 2 Quad Q8400
MSRP: $183|Avg: $128
90%
#941
Pentium G3240
MSRP: $89|Avg: $126
85%
#942
Core i3-2130
MSRP: $138|Avg: $138
84%
#943
Pentium 4 2.26
MSRP: $241|Avg: $20
82%
#944
Pentium 4 2.60
MSRP: $401|Avg: $25
81%
#945
Core 2 Quad Q9505
MSRP: $213|Avg: $150
81%
#946
Core 2 Duo E8600
MSRP: $200|Avg: $95
81%
#947
Pentium J4205
MSRP: $161|Avg: $161
80%
#948
Phenom II X6 1075T
MSRP: $245|Avg: N/A
80%
#949
PRO A10-8770E
MSRP: $395|Avg: $210
80%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Core i5-6442EQ across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Civilization VI

Civilization VI

1080p
low104 FPS
medium87 FPS
high74 FPS
ultra55 FPS
1440p
low44 FPS
medium38 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra17 FPS
4k
low21 FPS
medium19 FPS
high14 FPS
ultra9 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra103 FPS
1440p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra91 FPS
4k
low112 FPS
medium102 FPS
high79 FPS
ultra58 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077

1080p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra111 FPS
1440p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra98 FPS
4k
low106 FPS
medium96 FPS
high79 FPS
ultra61 FPS
Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium54 FPS
high51 FPS
ultra48 FPS
4k
low47 FPS
medium43 FPS
high41 FPS
ultra39 FPS
Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2

1080p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra112 FPS
1440p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra112 FPS
4k
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high102 FPS
ultra84 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra112 FPS
1440p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra112 FPS
4k
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra112 FPS
Naraka: Bladepoint

Naraka: Bladepoint

1080p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra100 FPS
1440p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high99 FPS
ultra73 FPS
4k
low74 FPS
medium59 FPS
high48 FPS
ultra41 FPS
Palworld

Palworld

1080p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high83 FPS
ultra74 FPS
1440p
low100 FPS
medium90 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra62 FPS
4k
low67 FPS
medium61 FPS
high52 FPS
ultra35 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high103 FPS
ultra79 FPS
1440p
low112 FPS
medium111 FPS
high86 FPS
ultra67 FPS
4k
low66 FPS
medium56 FPS
high43 FPS
ultra34 FPS
Phasmophobia

Phasmophobia

1080p
low112 FPS
medium112 FPS
high86 FPS
ultra66 FPS
1440p
low105 FPS
medium89 FPS
high54 FPS
ultra43 FPS
4k
low54 FPS
medium49 FPS
high34 FPS
ultra26 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Core i5-6442EQ specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Core i5-6442EQ 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 1.9 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 4,483, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationCore i5-6442EQ
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units4C / 4T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost1.9 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designSkylake (2015−2016)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient14 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores6 MB
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data1 MB
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache256 kB
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor122 mm2
Bus SpeedData bus frequency4 × 8 GT/s
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleNo
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score4,483
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Core i5-6442EQ has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 25 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationCore i5-6442EQ
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload25 Watt
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $250, the Core i5-6442EQ delivers 18 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #1942 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationCore i5-6442EQ
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$250
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$250
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$250
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#1942
Release DateLaunch date12 October 2015 (10 years ago)
Release Year2015
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

3 categories

General Information

7 specs

TypeLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i5
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$250
Release Date12 October 2015 (10 years ago)
Architecture CodenameSkylake (2015−2016)
Performance Ranking Position1942

Technical Specifications

13 specs

Cores4
Threads4
Bus TypeDMI 3.0
Die Size122 mm2
L1 Cache256 kB
L2 Cache1 MB
L3 Cache6 MB
Bus Speed4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier19
Max Frequency1.9 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Process Technology14 nm
Windows 11 Compatible-

Compatibility

3 specs

PCIe GenerationPCIe 3.0
Power Consumption (TDP)25 Watt
Max Processors In Config1 (Uniprocessor)

Our Recommendation for Core i5-6442EQ

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

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