Intel Core i5-6500T vs Intel Core i5-7400T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6500T and Intel Core i5-7400T are both 35W TDP desktop processors with four cores and four threads, but they represent different generations of Intel's 14nm process. The data shows a close contest, with the i5-6500T winning seven of eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the i5-7400T counters with a single victory in Geekbench multi-core and offers a newer integrated graphics solution. Both chips land at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier despite their architectural differences.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-6500T has a boost clock of 3.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-7400T boosts to 3.00 GHz. The i5-6500T also has a slightly higher base clock at 2.50 GHz compared to 2.40 GHz for the i5-7400T.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-6500T scores 4054 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 1.8% ahead of the i5-7400T's score of 3981. This margin is consistent across most Cinebench versions, with the i5-6500T leading by 1.7% in R15 multi-core and 1.8% in R20 multi-core.

Q: Does the i5-7400T win any benchmark comparisons?

A: Yes, the i5-7400T wins the Geekbench multi-core test, scoring 2864 against the i5-6500T's 2843, a margin of 0.7% in favor of the i5-7400T. This is the only benchmark victory for the i5-7400T out of the eight head-to-head tests.

Q: What are the memory support differences between the two processors?

A: The i5-6500T supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i5-7400T supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the i5-7400T has a higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s compared to 34.1 GB/s for the i5-6500T.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Both the i5-6500T and i5-7400T are locked processors, meaning their clock speeds cannot be adjusted through the multiplier.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ between the two models?

A: The i5-6500T features HD Graphics 530, while the i5-7400T features HD 630. Both are integrated graphics solutions from Intel, but the i5-7400T's HD 630 represents a newer generation of Intel graphics architecture.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-6500T dominates the synthetic rendering benchmarks, taking wins in all six Cinebench tests. Its lead ranges from 1.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (408 vs 401) to 1.8% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1702 vs 1672) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (4054 vs 3981). Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, with the i5-6500T leading by 1.8% in R15 (57 vs 56) and R23 (572 vs 562), and by 1.7% in R20 (240 vs 236). This consistent advantage across all Cinebench versions suggests the i5-6500T has a slight edge in rendering workloads that scale with clock speed and IPC.

The i5-7400T's only win comes in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 2864 against the i5-6500T's 2843. This 0.7% margin is smaller than any of the i5-6500T's Cinebench victories, indicating that the i5-7400T's advantage is narrow and workload-specific. The i5-7400T also ties in Geekbench single-core territory, with its 1014 score falling just 0.2% behind the i5-6500T's 1016.

For users prioritizing Geekbench-style multi-threaded workloads, the i5-7400T offers a marginal edge. However, for Cinebench rendering tasks, the i5-6500T is consistently ahead. The i5-7400T's newer HD 630 integrated graphics could make it preferable for systems relying on the iGPU, though benchmark data for graphics performance is not provided.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The i5-6500T is based on Skylake, while the i5-7400T uses Kaby Lake. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but the i5-6500T has a die size of 122 mm², while the i5-7400T's die size is not listed in the data.

The core and cache configurations are identical: both have 4 cores, 4 threads, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The key architectural difference lies in the memory controller and integrated graphics. The i5-6500T's Skylake memory controller supports both DDR3 and DDR4, whereas the i5-7400T's Kaby Lake controller supports only DDR4. This gives the i5-7400T a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s for the i5-6500T.

The integrated graphics also differ: the i5-6500T ships with HD Graphics 530, while the i5-7400T includes HD 630. The i5-7400T's production status is listed as Active, while the i5-6500T is End-of-life, reflecting their relative ages in the market. Both processors use the same Intel Socket 1151 and offer Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several differences beyond the architecture name. The base clock is 2.50 GHz for the i5-6500T and 2.40 GHz for the i5-7400T, with boost clocks of 3.10 GHz and 3.00 GHz respectively. Both have a 35W TDP, so the i5-6500T achieves its higher clocks within the same power envelope.

Memory support is a notable divergence. The i5-6500T supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-7400T supports only DDR4. Memory bandwidth reflects this, with the i5-7400T rated at 38.4 GB/s and the i5-6500T at 34.1 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ as noted, with HD Graphics 530 versus HD 630.

The i5-6500T has a listed die size of 122 mm², while the i5-7400T's die size is absent from the data. Release dates also differ: the i5-6500T was released in July 2015, while the i5-7400T came in January 2017. The i5-6500T is marked as End-of-life, whereas the i5-7400T is Active. Part numbers are SR2L8 for the i5-6500T and SR332 for the i5-7400T.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear pattern: the i5-6500T wins seven of eight tests, with margins that are small but consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-6500T scores 408 versus 401 for the i5-7400T, a 1.7% lead. The single-core R15 test shows the same margin, with 57 against 56. Cinebench R20 multi-core gives the i5-6500T a 1.8% edge (1702 vs 1672), and single-core R20 shows 1.7% (240 vs 236).

The largest margins appear in Cinebench R23, where the i5-6500T leads by 1.8% in both multi-core (4054 vs 3981) and single-core (572 vs 562). These figures indicate that the i5-6500T's higher boost clock of 3.10 GHz, combined with the Skylake architecture, consistently outperforms the i5-7400T's 3.00 GHz boost in rendering workloads.

The i5-7400T's sole victory is in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 2864 versus 2843 for the i5-6500T, a 0.7% margin. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-6500T edges ahead with 1016 against 1014, a 0.2% difference. The Geekbench results are nearly identical, suggesting that the two processors perform at parity in this benchmark suite, with the i5-7400T holding a slight advantage in multi-threaded Geekbench tasks.

When placed against their nearest rivals, both chips sit in similar company. The i5-6500T's average benchmark score of 1362 aligns with the Intel Core i5-8365UE at 1362, and it trails the Intel Core i7-3820QM by 0.3% (1366) and the Intel Xeon D-1521 by 0.4% (1367). The i5-7400T's average score of 1348 matches the Intel Core i5-4670 at 1347, sits 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon W-2104 at 1350, and 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core i5-4590T at 1340. The i5-6500T's 1.0% average score advantage (1362 vs 1348) places it slightly higher in the rival hierarchy.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i5-6500T as the stronger performer in most workloads. Its victories in all six Cinebench tests, with margins between 1.7% and 1.8%, demonstrate a consistent advantage in rendering and multi-threaded content creation tasks. The i5-6500T's higher base and boost clocks, combined with its Skylake architecture, deliver measurable benefits that show up across every Cinebench version tested.

The i5-7400T's case rests on two factors: its single Geekbench multi-core win and its newer platform features. The Geekbench multi-core margin of 0.7% (2864 vs 2843) is real but narrow, and the i5-7400T loses Geekbench single-core by 0.2%. The i5-7400T also offers DDR4-only memory support with higher bandwidth (38.4 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s) and the newer HD 630 integrated graphics, which may matter for systems without a discrete GPU.

For users running Cinebench-heavy workloads or seeking the highest clock speeds within a 35W envelope, the i5-6500T is the data-backed choice. For those prioritizing Geekbench multi-core performance or requiring the newer HD 630 graphics and DDR4 memory bandwidth, the i5-7400T holds a slight edge. The i5-7400T's Active production status also makes it the more practical option for new system builds, while the i5-6500T's End-of-life status suggests limited availability. Both processors sit at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, confirming they occupy the same performance class, with the i5-6500T holding a narrow but consistent lead in the majority of benchmarks.