Intel Processor N150 vs Intel Core i5-6500

The Intel Core i5-6500, based on the Skylake-S architecture, was introduced in the third quarter of 2015.

It targeted mainstream desktop users for office, multimedia, and light gaming. Manufactured using a 14 nm process, it features 4 cores and 4 threads, 0 MB L2 cache, and 6 MB L3 cache. The processor supports PCIe 3.0 and integrates Intel HD Graphics 530 with a maximum memory bandwidth of 34 GB/s. The Intel Processor N150, introduced in the first quarter of 2023, is based on the Twin Lake architecture and is designed for energy-efficient entry-level systems such as mini-PCs.

It is manufactured using a more advanced 7 nm process and utilizes a hybrid architecture with 1 performance core and 4 efficient cores, totaling 5 cores and 5 threads. This processor features 4 MB L2 cache and 6 MB L3 cache and offers integrated Intel UHD Graphics 24 EUs (Alder Lake) with a maximum memory bandwidth of 38 GB/s.

In terms of performance, both processors show very similar single-core performance. For multi-core applications, the Intel Core i5-6500 achieves noticeably higher performance in some scenarios, while in others it is comparable. For gaming, the Intel Core i5-6500 is generally somewhat better suited due to its more robust CPU cores, although neither is intended for demanding gaming.

Regarding energy efficiency, the Intel Processor N150, with a typical TDP of 6.5W, has a clear advantage over the Intel Core i5-6500, which typically has a TDP of 65W. The Intel Core i5-6500, as an older model, is affordably available on the used market, while the Intel Processor N150 is usually offered as part of new systems and provides better value for basic, energy-efficient applications.