CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-6600 vs Intel Core i5-5675R
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-6600 is a high-clocked locked quad-core Skylake processor offering the best non-overclocking mainstream performance for 2015 gaming and productivity builds.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Fast single-core makes everyday tasks snappy, but multi-threaded work is slow.
3.6GHz turbo boost provides good single-thread performance for office apps.
Gaming
Good 1080p performance in older games, but severe stuttering in modern CPU-heavy titles.
Iris Pro 6200 handles older games and eSports titles well at 1080p.
Virtualization
Inadequate for running multiple VMs due to 4 threads.
Adequate for light VMs but limited by DDR3 and 4 threads.
Efficiency
65W TDP provides a great balance of performance and power draw.
14nm Broadwell is efficient within its 65W thermal envelope.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware acceleration
- 4 threads are insufficient for modern AI workloads
- No dedicated AI acceleration
- DDR3 bandwidth bottlenecks execution units
Content Creation
Gaming
- 3.9 GHz turbo provides solid single-core grunt
- Lacks the threads for modern open-world games
- Will bottleneck mid-range modern GPUs at 1080p
- Similar iGPU performance to the i5-5675C
- Can play CS:GO and Dota 2 comfortably
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- High 3.9 GHz single-core turbo
- Solid 3.6 GHz all-core turbo
- 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Included a decent stock cooler
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier
- End-of-life platform with no upgrade path
- Struggles in modern multi-threaded workloads
Pros
- Strong integrated graphics performance
- High 3.6 GHz turbo boost for single-thread tasks
- 65W TDP is great for small form factors
- Includes 128MB eDRAM cache
Cons
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- Limited to DDR3 memory
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- Difficult to find as a standalone part
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-6600
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-6600KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690Rival
Previous Gen
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4790Rival
High-End Previous Gen
Modern budget king that obliterates the i5-6600 in single-core and multi-core.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
6 cores/12 threads, much better for gaming and productivity today.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
The direct modern equivalent with 12 threads and superior IPC.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Older generation but still vastly superior in multi-threaded tasks.
Cheap 6-core/12-thread option on the used market.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-5675R
- AMD A10-7870KRival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5575RRival
Desktop BGA
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-5775RRival
Desktop BGA
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5675CRival
Desktop Socketed
- AMD A8-7670KRival
Desktop APU
- Intel NUC 11 ExtremeAlt
A modern mini PC platform offering vastly superior performance and upgradability.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
A modern desktop APU that obliterates this chip in every metric.
A cheap, modern CPU that offers much better single and multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GEAlt
A low-TDP modern alternative for embedded or small form factor builds.
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-6600 was the ultimate locked gaming chip of 2015, boasting high boost clocks, though modern users will find its 4-thread design a major bottleneck.
Best for: The i5-6600 is a solid drop-in upgrade if you are currently running a Pentium or i3 on an LGA 1151 motherboard and can get this chip for dirt cheap. It offers a noticeable bump in single-core speed and cache over lower-tier Skylake chips, making your system feel much snappier for daily use and older games. It’s also a decent holdover chip if your main CPU died and you need a cheap replacement. However, buying this to build a new system is a mistake. Modern budget chips like the i3-12100F offer vastly superior single-thread and multi-thread performance, alongside modern platform features. Do not overspend on this legacy hardware; your money is better saved for a modern platform overhaul.
Read the full reviewA solid embedded processor that brings strong clock speeds and Iris Pro graphics to small form factor systems, though it lacks the overclocking features of its socketed sibling.
Best for: Purchasing a used mini PC with this chip for a cheap media center.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-6600 or Intel Core i5-5675R?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-5675R leads with a gaming performance score of 62/100 among Intel Core i5-6600 and Intel Core i5-5675R.
Do Intel Core i5-6600 and Intel Core i5-5675R use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-6600: LGA 1151, Intel Core i5-5675R: Intel BGA 1364), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-6600 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-6600 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.