CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-6600K vs Intel Core i5-5675C
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-6600K is an unlocked 4-core, 4-thread Skylake desktop processor designed specifically for enthusiasts and gamers who wanted robust overclocking capabilities on the Z170 platform.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Lacks hyper-threading, making it slow for modern multi-threaded productivity workloads.
Quad-core performance at 3.6GHz is snappy for everyday tasks and light creation.
Gaming
Bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-heavy titles due to 4 threads, but adequate for older or eSports games.
Iris Pro 6200 allows for solid 1080p gaming on older titles without a dedicated GPU.
Virtualization
Very limited for VMs due to low thread count and lack of ECC support.
Handles basic VMs well, though limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
14nm Skylake was efficient for its time, but 91W TDP is high by today's standards for 4 cores.
Broadwell's 14nm process is quite efficient, especially when TDP is configured down.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- 4 threads severely limit local inference capabilities
- No modern AI hardware features
- DDR3 bandwidth limits execution unit utilization for AI
Content Creation
Gaming
- Struggles in modern AAA games that use 6+ threads
- Great for eSports titles like CS:GO and Valorant
- Overclocking helps maintain minimum frame rates
- Comparable to an NVIDIA GT 740 GDDR5
- Can play titles like BioShock Infinite at 1080p High
- eDRAM significantly reduces texture stuttering
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Unlocked multiplier for easy overclocking
- Solid IPC for its generation
- Integrated HD 530 graphics for troubleshooting
- Supports DDR4 memory
- Great overclocking headroom (often hit 4.5-4.7GHz)
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- 91W TDP is relatively high for a 4-core processor
- End-of-life platform with no upgrade path
- Struggles with modern gaming workloads
- Requires discrete GPU for any serious gaming
- Does not include a stock cooler
Pros
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- Powerful Iris Pro 6200 integrated graphics
- Uses standard LGA 1150 socket
- Configurable TDP for silent builds
- Includes 128MB L4 eDRAM
Cons
- Limited to DDR3 memory
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- Hard to find on the used market
- Lower base clock than some Haswell counterparts
- Socket 1150 is a dead platform
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-6600K
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Enthusiast
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-6700KRival
High-End Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690KRival
Mainstream
- AMD Ryzen 5 1400Rival
Mainstream
Modern architecture, much better gaming and multi-threaded performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
6 cores/12 threads, far superior for modern games and productivity.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Incredible budget performance on a modern platform with great single-core speed.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Great used market value, PCIe 4.0 support, and 12 threads.
Cheaper modern alternative with similar or better single-core performance today.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-5675C
- AMD A10-7870KRival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690KRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-5775CRival
Desktop
- AMD A8-7670KRival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5575RRival
Desktop BGA
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
A vastly superior modern APU with better CPU and GPU performance.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
A budget modern AM4 alternative with decent Vega graphics.
Modern budget king that obliterates this chip in single-core performance.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A legendary overclocker in its day, the i5-6600K brought DDR4 and PCIe 3.0 to the mainstream, though its 4-thread limitation shows its age in modern titles.
Best for: The Intel Core i5-6600K is only recommended today if you already own an LGA 1151 motherboard and DDR4 memory, and you are looking for a drop-in upgrade or replacement for a broken Pentium or i3 on a strict zero-budget. It can still handle everyday web browsing, office tasks, and esports titles like CS:GO or Valorant reasonably well. If you are building a system from scratch, there is absolutely no reason to purchase this processor new. Modern entry-level CPUs like the i3-12100F or Ryzen 5 5600 dramatically outperform it in every metric while offering a viable upgrade path. The used market is the only place this chip makes sense, and even then, you should avoid paying more than a fraction of its original launch price due to its heavily constrained multi-threading capability and dead-end platform status.
Read the full reviewA cult classic desktop CPU that combined an unlocked multiplier with exceptional integrated graphics, making it a unique and highly sought-after part for compact builds.
Best for: Building a retro or niche HTPC where integrated graphics are preferred.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-6600K or Intel Core i5-5675C?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-5675C comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-5675C has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-6600K (91 W), Intel Core i5-5675C (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-6600K and Intel Core i5-5675C use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-6600K: LGA 1151, Intel Core i5-5675C: Intel Socket 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-6600K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-6600K (5,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.