Intel Core i7-6700 vs Intel Core i5-6500

The Intel Core i7-6700 and the Intel Core i5-6500 are Intel desktop processors, both based on the 14 nm Skylake S architecture.

They targeted the mainstream to more demanding desktop market. The Intel Core i7-6700 has 4 cores and 8 threads (Hyper-Threading), while the Intel Core i5-6500 is equipped with 4 cores and 4 threads. This gives the Intel Core i7-6700 noticeably better multi-core performance, important for applications like video editing or complex multitasking.

Single-core performance is also slightly superior in the Intel Core i7-6700 due to higher clock speeds. The Intel Core i7-6700 features 8 MB of Level 3 Cache, while the Intel Core i5-6500 has 6 MB. In gaming scenarios, the Intel Core i7-6700 offers a slight advantage thanks to higher clock speeds.

Both CPUs feature integrated Intel HD Graphics 530, support PCIe 3.0, and a maximum memory bandwidth of 34 GB/s. The Thermal Design Power (TDP) for both processors is 65 Watts, indicating similar power consumption. As older processors, both are primarily found on the used market. The price-performance ratio varies greatly there.

The Intel Core i7-6700 is the more powerful choice for users who benefit from additional threads in demanding applications. The Intel Core i5-6500 is a more cost-effective option that still offers sufficient performance for everyday tasks and less demanding games.