Intel Core i5-6500 vs AMD A10-9700

The Intel Core i5-6500 (Skylake S), introduced in the third quarter of 2015, is aimed at mainstream desktop users.

Manufactured using a 14 nm process, it features 4 cores, 4 threads, and 6 MB of Level 3 cache. Its single- and multi-core performance significantly surpasses that of the AMD A10-9700, making it a stronger CPU foundation.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 is primarily intended for basic graphics output. The 14 nm process enables efficient power consumption. The maximum memory bandwidth is 34 GB/s via PCIe 3.0. The AMD A10-9700 (Excavator, Bristol Ridge), released in the third quarter of 2016, targets budget-conscious users.

It is manufactured using a 28 nm process and has 4 cores, 4 threads, and 2 MB of Level 2 cache. Its CPU performance lags behind the Intel Core i5-6500. Its main strength is the more powerful integrated AMD Radeon R7 - 384 (Bristol Ridge) graphics unit, which allows for light gaming without a dedicated graphics card.

The maximum memory bandwidth is 38 GB/s via PCIe 3.0. Both processors are available on the used market. The Intel Core i5-6500 offers superior pure CPU performance, ideal for more demanding computing tasks or systems with a dedicated graphics card. The AMD A10-9700 impresses with its significantly stronger integrated graphics unit, ideal for cost-effective multimedia or light gaming systems without a separate graphics card.

The choice depends on the priority between CPU and integrated graphics performance.