Intel Core i5-6500 vs Intel Core i9-9990XE Comparison

The Verdict

The data paints an unmistakable picture: the Intel Core i9-9990XE dominates the Intel Core i5-6500 in every single benchmark recorded. Across six head-to-head tests, the i9-9990XE wins all six, with delta percentages hovering around -81% relative to the i5-6500, meaning the i5 trails by roughly four-fifths in each workload. The i9-9990XE is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, extreme single-core speed, or high-frequency operation. The i5-6500, conversely, serves a completely different role: it is a low-power, entry-level desktop part with integrated graphics, suitable for basic computing where the i9-9990XE’s 255W TDP and lack of an iGPU would be problematic. Benchmark results indicate the i9-9990XE’s average benchmark score of 7415 sits near the i5-6500’s 7569, despite the i9’s massive performance lead in the tested workloads—a quirk driven by the i5’s inclusion in a broader set of tests. For a workstation or enthusiast build, the i9-9990XE wins outright. For a modest office or HTPC, the i5-6500 is the only sensible pick from this pair, though the data shows no scenario where the i5 outperforms the i9.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, but they diverge sharply in every other architectural aspect. The Intel Core i5-6500 is a Skylake part, featuring 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-6500 uses a dual-channel memory bus with DDR4 support, delivering 34.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). It includes integrated HD Graphics 530, making it self-sufficient for display output, and has a 65W TDP. The part is multiplier-locked, so overclocking is not supported.

The Intel Core i9-9990XE, part of the Skylake-X family (Core i9 Extreme, X-Series 9th Gen), is a radically different design. It packs 14 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. L1 cache remains 64 KB per core, but L2 expands to 1 MB per core, and L3 grows to 19.25 MB shared. Memory support is quad-channel DDR4, yielding 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth—2.5 times the i5-6500’s figure. PCIe connectivity jumps to 44 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The i9-9990XE has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. Its TDP is 255W, nearly four times that of the i5. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling user overclocking. The i9-9990XE also uses a different socket (Intel Socket 2066 versus the i5’s Socket 1151), making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Production status for both is end-of-life, but the i9-9990XE launched in 2018, three years after the i5-6500’s 2015 release.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-9990XE wins everywhere that compute throughput matters. In multi-core tests, its 14-core/28-thread configuration produces scores that dwarf the i5-6500: the Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 25,637 versus 4,760, a gap of over 20,000 points. Single-core performance also favors the i9 decisively, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3,619 against the i5’s 672—a 5.4x advantage. The i9’s higher boost clock (5.10 GHz vs. 3.60 GHz) and larger cache (19.25 MB vs. 6 MB L3) drive these wins. For content creation, 3D rendering, video encoding, or any parallel workload, the i9-9990XE is categorically superior.

The i5-6500 wins in scenarios where the i9-9990XE cannot function. The i5 has integrated HD Graphics 530, allowing a build without a discrete GPU; the i9 has none. The i5’s 65W TDP makes it suitable for compact, low-power systems, whereas the i9’s 255W TDP demands robust cooling and a high-wattage PSU. The i5’s dual-channel memory (34.1 GB/s) is adequate for light tasks, while the i9’s quad-channel (85.3 GB/s) is overkill for basic use. The i5’s lower lane count (16 vs. 44 PCIe) is irrelevant for typical desktops but limiting for multi-GPU setups. In short, the i5 wins on practicality and simplicity; the i9 wins on raw performance.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9990XE has 14 cores and 28 threads, while the Intel Core i5-6500 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the maximum single-core performance difference in the head-to-head tests?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9-9990XE scores 3,619 versus the i5-6500’s 672, a delta of -81.4% from the i5’s perspective.

Q: Does either CPU include integrated graphics?

A: The i5-6500 includes HD Graphics 530; the i9-9990XE has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each processor?

A: The i5-6500 has 34.1 GB/s (dual-channel), while the i9-9990XE has 85.3 GB/s (quad-channel).

Q: Are both CPUs overclockable?

A: No. The i5-6500 has a locked multiplier; the i9-9990XE has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-6500 has an average benchmark score of 7,569, slightly higher than the i9-9990XE’s 7,415, despite the i9 winning all head-to-head tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a one-sided contest. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-9990XE scores 2,584 against the i5-6500’s 479, a delta of -81.5% for the i5. Cinebench R15 single-core follows the same pattern: 364 for the i9 versus 67 for the i5, a -81.6% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i9 posts 10,767 multi-core and 1,519 single-core, while the i5 manages 1,999 and 282 respectively—both deltas at -81.4%. Cinebench R23 shows the widest absolute gap: the i9’s multi-core score of 25,637 dwarfs the i5’s 4,760, and the single-core scores are 3,619 versus 672. Every deltaPct is approximately -81%, indicating a consistent relative performance ratio across all Cinebench versions.

Notably, the i5-6500 has additional benchmark data in other test suites (Geekbench, Passmark), where it scores 3,118 multi-core and 1,099 single-core on Geekbench, and Passmark multi-thread of 5,604. The i9-9990XE lacks these entries in the FACT PACK, so no comparison is possible there. The average benchmark score for the i5-6500 (7,569) exceeds the i9-9990XE (7,415), which is counterintuitive given the head-to-head sweep. This is because the i5’s average includes multiple Passmark sub-tests (e.g., integer math at 14,585, floating point at 12,391) that are not present for the i9, skewing the aggregate. The nearest rivals for the i5-6500 include the AMD EPYC 7371 (avg score 7,568, delta 0%) and Intel Core i5-7400 (7,469, delta 1.3%). For the i9-9990XE, rivals include the Intel Core i5-4570 (7,421, delta -0.1%) and Intel Core i9-9980XE (7,398, delta 0.2%), showing the i9 sits in a similar average-score band despite its higher peak performance.

In summary, the i9-9990XE is faster in every measurable head-to-head test, with a consistent ~81% lead over the i5-6500 across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The i5-6500’s only advantages are its integrated graphics, lower TDP, and lower platform cost—factors outside the benchmark data but critical for system design.