Intel Core i5-6500 vs Intel Core i7-5960X
25.6Single-core20.5
22.9Multi-core34.1
21.9Gaming43.4
7 spec wins — Intel Core i5-650011 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i7-5960X wins this desktop processor face-off, 32.3 to 23.5, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+22) and Multi-core (+11). Intel Core i5-6500 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6500
- Stronger Single-core score: 26 vs 21
- 54% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 140 W
- 36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm
- 15% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,180 vs 1,030
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $192 vs $999
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X
- Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 23
- Stronger gaming score: 43 vs 22
- 300% higher threads: 16 vs 4
- 233% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 6 MB
- 182% higher PassMark: 15,800 vs 5,600
General
| Spec | Intel Core i5-6500 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2015 | 2014 |
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA2011-v3 |
| Process | 14 nm+36% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+54% | 140 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-6500 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Performance cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 4 | 16+300% |
| Base clock | 3.2 GHz+7% | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
| L3 cache | 6 MB | 20 MB+233% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i5-6500 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel HD Graphics 530 | — |
| iGPU clock | 1,050 MHz | — |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i5-6500 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 4+100% |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i5-6500 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-6500 | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,180+15%Top 85% | 1,030Top 96% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 3,050Top 92% | 6,100+100%Top 69% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | — | 870Top 97% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 3,500Top 95% | 8,300+137%Top 70% |
| PassMark | 5,600Top 95% | 15,800+182%Top 60% |
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