Intel Core i5-6350HQ vs Intel Pentium G4560 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster overall in the recorded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-6350HQ wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons. It leads by roughly 20.6% to 20.9% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both in single-core and multi-core workloads.

Q: Do these two CPUs have the same core count?

A: No. The i5-6350HQ has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the Pentium G4560 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads. The Pentium relies on Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads, whereas the i5-6350HQ uses native quad-core execution.

Q: What are the base clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Pentium G4560 runs at a fixed 3.50 GHz base clock with no boost capability. The i5-6350HQ has a 2.30 GHz base clock and can boost up to 3.20 GHz when workload demands it.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Pentium G4560 has a TDP of 51 watts, which is higher than the 45-watt TDP of the i5-6350HQ. This is notable because the i5-6350HQ delivers higher benchmark scores despite the lower thermal envelope.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node. However, they use different architectures: the i5-6350HQ is Skylake-H, while the Pentium G4560 is Kaby Lake.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i5-6350HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 3 MB shared L3 cache found in the Pentium G4560. Both have identical per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache allocations.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-6350HQ wins every recorded benchmark category. There is no single test in the database where the Pentium G4560 comes out ahead. The i5-6350HQ's advantage is remarkably consistent, ranging from 20.6% to 20.9% across all five comparisons. This uniformity suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

The i5-6350HQ's quad-core design gives it a clear edge in multi-threaded rendering tasks. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3616 against the Pentium's 2996, a 20.7% difference. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core (364 vs. 301, a 20.9% lead) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (1518 vs. 1258, a 20.7% lead). For users running CPU-intensive parallel workloads, the i5-6350HQ is the definitive choice.

Interestingly, the i5-6350HQ also wins single-core tests by nearly the same margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 214 versus the Pentium's 177, a 20.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap is 510 vs. 423, a 20.6% lead. This is noteworthy because the Pentium G4560 has a much higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs. 2.30 GHz), yet the i5-6350HQ's boost to 3.20 GHz plus its architectural advantages still secure the win. The single-core results indicate that the i5-6350HQ's per-thread efficiency outpaces the Pentium's raw clock speed advantage.

Where the Pentium G4560 does hold some appeal is in its platform positioning. It is a desktop processor with an active production status, while the i5-6350HQ is a mobile part that has reached end-of-life. The Pentium also has a higher memory bandwidth rating (38.4 GB/s vs. 34.1 GB/s) and supports only DDR4, compared to the i5-6350HQ's DDR3/DDR4 support. These factors may matter for system builders, but they do not translate into benchmark wins.

Architecture Differences

The i5-6350HQ is built on the Skylake-H architecture, Intel's high-performance mobile variant of the Skylake microarchitecture. The Pentium G4560 uses the Kaby Lake architecture, which is a refinement of the same 14 nm process. While Kaby Lake is technically a newer generation, the i5-6350HQ's higher-tier positioning within the Core i5 family gives it substantial architectural advantages.

The most significant difference is core count. The i5-6350HQ has 4 physical cores, while the Pentium G4560 has 2. Both processors support 4 threads, meaning the Pentium uses simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count, whereas the i5-6350HQ runs one thread per core. For workloads that scale with physical cores, the i5-6350HQ has a fundamental advantage.

Cache hierarchy also differs meaningfully. Both CPUs share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) sizes, but the shared L3 cache is 6 MB on the i5-6350HQ versus 3 MB on the Pentium. This doubled L3 capacity helps the i5-6350HQ keep more working data closer to the cores, reducing memory latency in cache-sensitive tasks.

The integrated graphics solutions are very different. The i5-6350HQ features Intel Iris Pro 580, a high-performance integrated GPU with substantial execution resources. The Pentium G4560 ships with Intel HD 610, a basic entry-level graphics solution. For systems relying on integrated graphics, the i5-6350HQ offers a far more capable visual output, though the database does not record specific GPU benchmark scores.

Socket and platform differences are also notable. The i5-6350HQ uses Intel BGA 1440, a ball-grid array package designed for soldered mobile installations. The Pentium G4560 uses Intel Socket 1151, a standard desktop socket that allows for user installation and upgrade. This reflects their respective market segments: the i5-6350HQ is a mobile processor, while the Pentium G4560 targets desktop builds.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on multiple specification points. The i5-6350HQ has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Pentium G4560 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: the Pentium runs at 3.50 GHz with no boost clock, while the i5-6350HQ operates at 2.30 GHz base with a 3.20 GHz boost. TDP figures are 45 watts for the i5-6350HQ and 51 watts for the Pentium.

L3 cache is 6 MB on the i5-6350HQ versus 3 MB on the Pentium. Memory support differs: the i5-6350HQ accepts both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Pentium supports only DDR4. Memory bandwidth ratings are 34.1 GB/s for the i5-6350HQ and 38.4 GB/s for the Pentium. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

The integrated graphics are different: Intel Iris Pro 580 on the i5-6350HQ versus Intel HD 610 on the Pentium. Socket types differ completely: Intel BGA 1440 for the i5-6350HQ, Intel Socket 1151 for the Pentium. Market segments are mobile versus desktop, respectively. Production status also differs: the i5-6350HQ is end-of-life, while the Pentium G4560 remains active.

The i5-6350HQ has a listed launch MSRP of $306. The Pentium G4560 has no recorded launch MSRP. Release dates are approximately one year apart: the i5-6350HQ launched in January 2016, and the Pentium G4560 in January 2017. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning they are not unlocked for overclocking.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a consistent and decisive victory for the i5-6350HQ across all five recorded tests. The smallest margin is 20.6%, the largest is 20.9%, indicating that the performance gap is stable regardless of workload type.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-6350HQ scores 364 against the Pentium's 301, a 20.9% advantage. This was the first recorded test and set the pattern for the rest of the comparison. The i5-6350HQ's quad-core design clearly outperforms the Pentium's dual-core with Hyper-Threading in this classic rendering benchmark.

Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the result: 1518 for the i5-6350HQ versus 1258 for the Pentium, a 20.7% lead. The absolute score difference of 260 points is substantial and reflects the i5-6350HQ's ability to sustain higher throughput across all four cores.

The single-core results are particularly telling. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-6350HQ scores 214 versus 177 for the Pentium, a 20.9% gap. This is surprising given the Pentium's 3.50 GHz base clock compared to the i5-6350HQ's 2.30 GHz base. Even accounting for the i5-6350HQ's 3.20 GHz boost, the Pentium should theoretically have a clock advantage. The fact that the i5-6350HQ still wins by nearly 21% suggests that its Skylake-H architecture delivers significantly higher instructions per clock (IPC) than the Kaby Lake Pentium in this workload.

Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 3616 for the i5-6350HQ versus 2996 for the Pentium, a 20.7% difference. The i5-6350HQ's margin of 620 points is the largest absolute gap in the dataset.

Cinebench R23 single-core completes the sweep: 510 versus 423, a 20.6% lead for the i5-6350HQ. This is the narrowest margin recorded, but still a clear and consistent victory.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the head-to-head results. The i5-6350HQ has an average score of 1046, placing it in the 29th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Pentium G4560 averages 1031, in the 28th percentile. These percentile rankings are close, but the head-to-head tests show that in direct comparison, the i5-6350HQ is the stronger performer by a consistent margin.

The nearest rivals data provides additional context. The i5-6350HQ's closest competitors include the AMD PRO A10-8770 (equal score), AMD Athlon X4 950 (0.1% faster), AMD PRO A10-9700 (0.1% slower), and Intel Pentium Gold G5620 (0.1% slower). The Pentium G4560's rivals include the AMD A12-9800E (0.2% faster), Intel Xeon E5620 (0.2% slower), AMD A10-9700 (0.3% faster), and AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B (0.4% slower). These figures show that both CPUs sit in a similar performance tier relative to the broader market, despite the i5-6350HQ's clear win in the direct comparison.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i5-6350HQ is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark, with a consistent advantage of approximately 20.6% to 20.9% across single-core and multi-core tests. Users seeking maximum rendering performance should choose the i5-6350HQ without hesitation.

The i5-6350HQ's quad-core architecture, doubled L3 cache (6 MB vs. 3 MB), and superior integrated graphics (Iris Pro 580 vs. HD 610) give it clear technical advantages. Its 45-watt TDP is lower than the Pentium's 51 watts, meaning it achieves higher performance while consuming less power. The i5-6350HQ also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexibility in system configurations.

The Pentium G4560 does have some merits. It is an active desktop processor on Socket 1151, which means it can be installed in standard desktop motherboards and is still in production. Its higher memory bandwidth rating (38.4 GB/s vs. 34.1 GB/s) and higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs. 2.30 GHz) are positive specifications. However, none of these translate into benchmark wins.

The i5-6350HQ's end-of-life production status and mobile BGA socket are practical drawbacks. It is not available for new desktop builds and requires a specialized mobile platform. The Pentium G4560, by contrast, remains a viable option for current desktop systems.

For users building a desktop system today, the Pentium G4560's active status and standard socket make it the more practical choice, despite its lower performance. For users who can accommodate the i5-6350HQ's mobile platform requirements, the data shows it delivers roughly 21% more performance across all tested workloads. The choice ultimately depends on whether platform compatibility or raw benchmark performance takes priority.