Intel Core i5-2380P vs Intel Core i5-6350HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a clear and consistent pattern: the Intel Core i5-6350HQ wins all five head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i5-2380P. The margins are remarkably uniform across every test, with the i5-6350HQ leading by 17% in most cases. This consistency suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific strength.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-6350HQ scores 364 against 311 for the i5-2380P, a 17% advantage. The same 17% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-6350HQ posts 1518 versus 1297. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23 multi-core as well: 3616 for the i5-6350HQ versus 3090 for the i5-2380P, again a 17% gap.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-6350HQ scores 214, which is 16.9% ahead of the i5-2380P's 183. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 510 versus 436, another 17% advantage. The fact that single-core and multi-core deltas are nearly identical suggests the i5-6350HQ's advantage is per-core efficiency, not just additional scaling across cores.

Notably, the i5-2380P does not win a single benchmark in this comparison. Its average benchmark score of 1063 is actually slightly higher than the i5-6350HQ's 1046, but this aggregate figure includes different test distributions. The head-to-head data, which uses identical tests for both CPUs, paints a different picture: the i5-6350HQ dominates every shared workload.

The i5-6350HQ's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD PRO A10-8770 (identical average score of 1046), the AMD Athlon X4 950 (1047, 0.1% slower), and the AMD PRO A10-9700 (1045, 0.1% faster). The i5-2380P sits near the Intel Core i5-4570TE (1062, 0.1% slower), the Intel Xeon W3580 (1064, 0.1% faster), and the Intel Core i3-9100HL (1065, 0.2% faster). Both CPUs occupy the 29th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are mid-range performers in the broader database.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is straightforward: the i5-6350HQ wins everywhere in the recorded data. Every benchmark, whether single-core or multi-core, favors the newer Skylake-based chip. This means for any task that relies on Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the i5-6350HQ is the stronger choice.

The i5-6350HQ's multi-core wins (17% across R15, R20, and R23) indicate it handles threaded workloads better. This includes video encoding, 3D rendering, and compile tasks that scale across all four cores. The single-core wins (16.9% to 17%) matter for older software, lightly threaded applications, and tasks where per-core responsiveness is critical, such as web browsing or office productivity.

The i5-2380P has no benchmark victories to claim. Its only statistical edge is the slightly higher average benchmark score (1063 versus 1046), driven by the specific mix of tests in its database entry. However, when both CPUs run the exact same tests, the i5-2380P consistently trails. The data does not support any workload category where the i5-2380P would be the recommended choice.

One point in the i5-2380P's favor is its higher base clock (3.10 GHz versus 2.30 GHz) and boost clock (3.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz). Yet the benchmark results show these clock advantages do not translate into performance wins. The i5-6350HQ's newer architecture (Skylake versus Sandy Bridge) delivers more instructions per clock, overcoming the clock speed deficit.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core i5-6350HQ is the superior processor. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks with margins between 16.9% and 17%. For any user choosing between these two CPUs, the i5-6350HQ delivers meaningfully better Cinebench performance in both single-core and multi-core workloads.

The i5-6350HQ's 17% lead in multi-core tests means rendering tasks complete noticeably faster. Its 17% lead in single-core tests benefits everyday responsiveness. The consistency of these margins across three different Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) reinforces that this is a durable advantage, not a quirk of one test version.

The i5-2380P's higher clock speeds (3.10 GHz base, 3.40 GHz boost) do not overcome the architectural gap. The i5-6350HQ's lower clocks (2.30 GHz base, 3.20 GHz boost) are offset by superior per-clock efficiency from the Skylake design. The data is unambiguous: five wins for the i5-6350HQ, zero for the i5-2380P.

The i5-6350HQ also comes with integrated graphics (Intel Iris Pro 580), while the i5-2380P has none. This makes the i5-6350HQ a more complete package for systems without a discrete GPU. However, the i5-2380P uses a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1155) versus the i5-6350HQ's mobile socket (Intel BGA 1440), so the i5-2380P may be easier to integrate into a traditional desktop build.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-2380P has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1063, compared to 1046 for the Intel Core i5-6350HQ. However, this aggregate metric includes different test distributions, and the head-to-head comparisons show the i5-6350HQ winning all five shared tests.

Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core rendering?

A: The i5-6350HQ leads by 17% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. Specific scores: 364 versus 311 in R15, 1518 versus 1297 in R20, and 3616 versus 3090 in R23.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i5-6350HQ wins single-core tests by 16.9% to 17%. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 214 versus 183. In R23 single-core, it scores 510 versus 436.

Q: Does the i5-2380P win any benchmark?

A: No. In the head-to-head comparison, the i5-2380P wins zero benchmarks. The i5-6350HQ wins all five tests.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-6350HQ includes Intel Iris Pro 580 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-2380P has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the clock speeds of each CPU?

A: The i5-6350HQ has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The i5-2380P has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel architectural eras. The i5-6350HQ uses Skylake architecture (codename Skylake-H) on a 14 nm process node, while the i5-2380P uses Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm node. This process shrink (14 nm versus 32 nm) explains much of the i5-6350HQ's efficiency advantage.

Transistor counts differ substantially: the i5-6350HQ packs 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die, while the i5-2380P has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The newer chip fits nearly double the transistors onto a smaller die, enabling more complex execution logic and better per-clock performance.

Both CPUs have 4 cores and 4 threads, so the threading model is identical. Cache configuration is also the same: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3 cache. The architectural advantage must therefore come from microarchitectural improvements in Skylake, such as deeper out-of-order execution windows, better branch prediction, and improved memory access patterns.

The i5-6350HQ uses a mobile socket (Intel BGA 1440) and targets the mobile market segment. The i5-2380P uses a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1155) and targets desktops. The i5-6350HQ has a 45 W TDP, while the i5-2380P has a 95 W TDP, reflecting the newer chip's superior power efficiency despite its performance lead.

Memory support differs: the i5-6350HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i5-2380P supports only DDR3 with dual-channel configuration, and its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. Both CPUs support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and neither supports ECC memory.

The i5-6350HQ is from the Skylake-H generation (Core i5, Skylake-H) and was released on 2016-01-23. The i5-2380P is from the Sandy Bridge generation and was released on 2012-01-29. The i5-6350HQ is officially end-of-life, while the i5-2380P's production status is not recorded.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two CPUs:

• Base clock: i5-6350HQ runs at 2.30 GHz; i5-2380P runs at 3.10 GHz
• Boost clock: i5-6350HQ boosts to 3.20 GHz; i5-2380P boosts to 3.40 GHz
• TDP: i5-6350HQ is rated at 45 W; i5-2380P is rated at 95 W
• Socket: i5-6350HQ uses Intel BGA 1440; i5-2380P uses Intel Socket 1155
• Architecture: i5-6350HQ is Skylake (Skylake-H); i5-2380P is Sandy Bridge
• Process node: i5-6350HQ uses 14 nm; i5-2380P uses 32 nm
• Transistors: i5-6350HQ has 2,300 million; i5-2380P has 1,160 million
• Die size: i5-6350HQ measures 171 mm²; i5-2380P measures 216 mm²
• Memory support: i5-6350HQ supports DDR3 and DDR4; i5-2380P supports DDR3 only
• Memory bandwidth: i5-6350HQ has 34.1 GB/s; i5-2380P has no recorded value
• Integrated graphics: i5-6350HQ includes Intel Iris Pro 580; i5-2380P has none
• Market segment: i5-6350HQ is mobile; i5-2380P is desktop
• Release date: i5-6350HQ released 2016-01-23; i5-2380P released 2012-01-29
• Launch MSRP: i5-6350HQ launched at $306; i5-2380P has no recorded launch MSRP
• Part number: i5-6350HQ is SR2QZ; i5-2380P is SR0G2

The two CPUs share identical core counts (4), thread counts (4), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), L3 cache (6 MB shared), PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 16 lanes), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (none), and unlocked multiplier status (both locked).