Intel Core i3-6320 vs Intel Pentium Gold G6505T Comparison

The Intel Core i3-6320 and Intel Pentium Gold G6505T are both dual-core, four-thread desktop processors, but the benchmark data draws a clear line between them. Across every shared Cinebench test, the Core i3-6320 wins decisively, with margins hovering near 19.4% in most workloads. The Pentium Gold G6505T, however, counters with a significantly lower 35W TDP and a newer platform, making it the sensible pick for power-conscious builds. The data shows a straightforward trade-off: raw compute performance versus efficiency and platform longevity.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-6320 is the faster processor in every measured category. It wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with its largest advantage coming in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 378 against the Pentium Gold’s 316 — a 19.6% lead. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1576 vs 1320) and single-core (222 vs 186), and in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3753 vs 3143) and single-core (529 vs 443). If the priority is maximum compute throughput for everyday tasks, the Core i3-6320 is the clear choice from this data.

However, the Pentium Gold G6505T is not without its merits. Its 35W TDP is substantially lower than the Core i3-6320’s 51W TDP, which means less heat output and lower cooling requirements. It also uses the newer Intel Socket 1200 platform, whereas the Core i3-6320 uses the older Intel Socket 1151. The Pentium Gold also carries a launch MSRP of $75. For a user building a low-power, compact system where thermals and noise are paramount, the G6505T’s efficiency profile is compelling, even if its performance lags.

The verdict splits cleanly: pick the Core i3-6320 for performance-first desktop builds where the extra 16W of TDP is irrelevant; pick the Pentium Gold G6505T for minimalist, low-power systems where the newer socket and efficiency matter more than a ~19% performance deficit.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural eras, and that lineage shows in their feature sets. The Intel Core i3-6320 is built on the Skylake architecture, manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process node, with a die size of 150 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. Its base clock is 3.90 GHz, and it has no boost clock. In contrast, the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T is based on the Comet Lake architecture (specifically Comet Lake-R), also on a 14 nm node, but its base clock is lower at 3.60 GHz, also with no boost clock.

Both processors share the same core and thread counts (2 cores, 4 threads) and identical cache layouts: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. They also both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration and provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The key architectural difference lies in memory bandwidth: the Core i3-6320 offers 34.1 GB/s, while the Pentium Gold G6505T offers a higher 42.7 GB/s. This is a notable advantage for the Pentium Gold, despite its lower clock speed.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Core i3-6320 features Intel HD 530, while the Pentium Gold G6505T includes UHD Graphics 630. Both are integrated solutions, but the newer UHD 630 in the Pentium Gold suggests better media and display support, though the benchmark data does not measure iGPU performance. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i3-6320 is the clear winner in compute-heavy scenarios. Its benchmark victories span both multi-core and single-core tests, indicating that its higher 3.90 GHz base clock translates directly into superior performance across the board. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core i3-6320 scores 3753 versus the Pentium Gold’s 3143, a 19.4% advantage. This makes it the better option for tasks like video encoding, batch photo editing, or any workload that scales across multiple threads, even though both CPUs only have 2 cores and 4 threads.

The Pentium Gold G6505T wins on efficiency and platform currency. Its 35W TDP is roughly 31% lower than the Core i3-6320’s 51W TDP, which is a significant difference for small-form-factor builds, passively cooled systems, or always-on servers. The higher memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s could also benefit memory-sensitive applications, though the benchmark data does not confirm this in practice. Its newer Intel Socket 1200 compatibility means it can be paired with more modern motherboards, offering better connectivity and upgrade paths for other components.

The data also shows both CPUs sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1085 for the Core i3-6320 and 1082 for the Pentium Gold G6505T. Their nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-2450P (avg 1086, -0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-2320 (avg 1083, 0.2% delta), and the AMD A12-9800 (avg 1081, 0.1% delta). This places them in the same performance bracket, but the head-to-head results show the Core i3-6320 consistently outpaces the Pentium Gold.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-6320 wins every multi-core test. It scores 378 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus the Pentium Gold’s 316, and 3753 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 3143. This represents a 19.4–19.6% lead.

Q: Does the Pentium Gold G6505T have any performance advantage?

A: The head-to-head data shows the Pentium Gold wins zero out of five benchmarks. However, it does offer higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s) and a lower TDP (35W vs 51W), though these are not benchmark scores.

Q: What is the main reason to choose the Pentium Gold G6505T?

A: The data shows its 35W TDP is significantly lower than the Core i3-6320’s 51W TDP, making it better suited for power-constrained or low-noise builds. It also uses the newer Intel Socket 1200 platform.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Core i3-6320 has an average benchmark score of 1085, placing it just 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-2450P (avg 1086) and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-2320 and i5-3335S (both avg 1083). The Pentium Gold G6505T scores 1082, which is 0.1% behind the i5-3335S and i5-2320, and 0.1% ahead of the AMD A12-9800 (avg 1081).

Q: Are there any single-core performance differences?

A: Yes, the Core i3-6320 is consistently ahead. It scores 222 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus the Pentium Gold’s 186, and 529 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 443 — a 19.4% margin in both.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes, both have 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The main architectural differences are the clock speeds (3.90 GHz vs 3.60 GHz) and memory bandwidth.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the consistency of the Core i3-6320’s victory. Across five shared Cinebench tests, the margin never drops below 19.4%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i3-6320 scores 378 against the Pentium Gold’s 316, yielding the largest delta of 19.6%. This test is particularly notable because it is the only instance where the gap exceeds 19.4%, suggesting that the Pentium Gold’s lower clock speed hurts most in shorter, bursty workloads.

The Cinebench R20 results reinforce the trend. In multi-core, the Core i3-6320 posts 1576 versus 1320 for the Pentium Gold, a 19.4% advantage. The single-core test shows the same delta: 222 for the Core i3-6320 and 186 for the Pentium Gold. This is a clear indication that the Core i3-6320’s 3.90 GHz base clock provides a consistent per-thread advantage over the Pentium Gold’s 3.60 GHz.

The Cinebench R23 results mirror the R20 data almost exactly. Multi-core scores are 3753 for the Core i3-6320 and 3143 for the Pentium Gold, while single-core scores are 529 and 443, respectively. In both cases, the delta is precisely 19.4%. This uniformity suggests that the performance difference is primarily driven by clock frequency, not architectural efficiency or cache behavior.

The Core i3-6320 wins all five benchmarks, giving it a 5-0 record in the head-to-head comparison. The Pentium Gold G6505T does not achieve a single victory. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the Core i3-6320 averages 1085, while the Pentium Gold averages 1082. Despite the small average difference, the per-test deltas show a dominant performance from the older Skylake part. The data leaves no room for ambiguity — if raw Cinebench performance is the metric, the Intel Core i3-6320 is the superior processor.