Intel Core i5-6600T vs Intel Core i5-7440HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a surprisingly consistent picture across nearly every workload. The Intel Core i5-6600T wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head comparisons, with only a single benchmark going to the Intel Core i5-7440HQ. The margins are not dramatic, but they are remarkably uniform, suggesting a systematic advantage rather than test-specific noise.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-6600T scores 478 against 463 for the i5-7440HQ, a 3.2% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern, 67 versus 65, a 3.1% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore gap is 1992 to 1933, again 3.1%, while the single-core margin is 280 to 272, or 2.9%. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23 as well: multicore 4745 versus 4603 (3.1%), single-core 669 versus 649 (3.1%). These consistent deltas across three generations of the Cinebench suite indicate that the i5-6600T's advantage is stable across both threaded and lightly threaded rendering workloads.

Geekbench tells a slightly different story. In multicore, the i5-6600T leads 3104 to 3043, a 2% edge. Interestingly, the single-core Geekbench result favors the i5-7440HQ, which posts 1184 against 1172, a 1% margin for the Kaby Lake part. This is the only benchmark where the mobile chip wins outright and the only test where the two processors trade places in terms of direction of the delta.

What do these numbers imply? The average benchmark score of 1563 for the i5-6600T places it at the 39th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i5-7440HQ sits just behind at 1527 average, occupying the 38th percentile. The two processors are close enough in aggregate that their nearest rivals overlap heavily with each other's peer groups, yet the benchmarks consistently separate them by roughly 2% to 3% in favor of the desktop-oriented part.

The Geekbench single-core result deserves attention. The i5-7440HQ's 1184 score exceeds the i5-6600T's 1172 by 1%. This is the one data point that breaks the monotonic pattern, and it will factor into the use-case analysis later in this review.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-6600T demonstrates the broader winning profile, taking every multi-threaded benchmark in the head-to-head set. Cinebench R15 multicore at 478, Cinebench R20 multicore at 1992, Cinebench R23 multicore at 4745, and Geekbench multicore at 3104, all land on the side of the Skylake desktop chip. It also wins both R15 and R20 single-core tests at 67 and 280 respectively, plus Cinebench R23 single-core at 669. That is seven wins across rendering suites of varying ages and across both single and multiple core workloads.

The Intel Core i5-7440HQ wins exactly one benchmark out of the eight measured tests: Geekbench single-core with a score of 1184. No other test in the head-to-head list, whether Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, yields a victory for the Kaby Lake-H part. This means the i5-7440HQ is the preferred choice only in scenarios that resemble, Geekbench's single-core scoring methodology specifically. The 1% edge in Geekbench single-core is the smallest delta in the entire comparison, and it represents the only occasion where higher base clock speed appears to translate into a measurable advantage.

For workloads that resemble Cinebench, the i5-6600T is the clear pick. For workloads that resemble Geekbench single-core, the i5-7440HQ has the only recorded win, but it is narrow. No benchmark in the data set favors the i5-7440HQ in a multi-threaded context, so the 6600T holds the overall record for both single and multi-core performance in the Cinebench suite.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different Intel microarchitectures. The i5-6600T is built on Skylake, while the i5-7440HQ uses Kaby Lake-H. Both are fabricated on the same 14 nanometer process node from Intel, so the underlying transistor geometry is identical. The die sizes differ meaningfully, with the i5-6600T measuring 177 mm² and the i5-7440HQ at 126 mm². That die size difference is likely due to the different market segments and packaging rather than core count, since both processors have 4 cores and 4 threads.

The cache hierarchy is identical in structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 64 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. There is no difference in the total L3 capacity between the two parts. The i5-6600T carries the UHD Graphics 530 integrated GPU, whereas the i5-7440HQ features the Intel HD Graphics 630. Both support DDR3 and DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, with no ECC support on either side.

The i5-6600T reports a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i5-7440HQ does not have a recorded memory bandwidth value in the database. PCIe connectivity is identical, with Gen 3 support and 16 lanes for CPU-only configurations. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are classified as end-of-life products. The i5-6600T uses the Intel Socket 1151 socket, while the i5-7440HQ is a BGA 1440 package, reflecting its mobile orientation. The i5-6600T is a desktop part, whereas the i5-7440HQ is a mobile processor.

The architecture differences are subtle in terms of raw specifications, with the same core count, thread count, and cache topology. The Kaby Lake-H part has a smaller die, which may reflect integration differences, but the benchmark deltas favor the larger Skylake die in most tests.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs share several core specifications: 4 cores, 4 threads, 14 nm process node, 64 KB L1 per core, 64 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, dual-channel memory support, DDR3 and DDR4 compatibility, no ECC memory, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, and a locked multiplier. The differences appear in the following fields:

• Base clock: 2.70 GHz for the i5-6600T versus 2.80 GHz for the i5-7440HQ.
• Boost clock: 3.50 GHz versus 3.80 GHz.
• TDP: 35 W versus 45 W.
• Socket: Socket 1151 versus BGA 1440.
• Architecture generation: Skylake versus Kaby Lake-H.
• Die size: 177 mm² versus 126 mm².
• Memory bandwidth: 34.64 GB/s for the i5-6600T, no recorded value for the i5-7440HQ.
• Integrated graphics model: UHD Graphics 530 versus Intel HD Graphics 630.
• Market segment: Desktop versus Mobile.
• Release date: July 2015 for the i5-6600T, January 2017 for the i5-7440HQ.
• Launch MSRP: $213 for the i5-6600T, $250 for the i5-7440HQ.

The base clock difference is small, 2.70 GHz against 2.80 GHz, but the boost clock gap is larger at 3.50 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. The TDP differential of 35 W versus 45 W reflects the intended thermal envelope difference between desktop and mobile designs. The i5-7440HQ has both a higher base and boost clock, yet it loses most benchmarks. The Geekbench single-core win at 1184 versus 1172 might be partially explained by the higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz, but the Kaby Lake part's 3.1% boost clock advantage does not translate into similar single-core Cinebench wins.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-7440HQ has a base clock of 2.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-6600T operates at 2.70 GHz.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two processors?

A: The largest delta in the head-to-head set is 3.2%, achieved by the i5-6600T in Cinebench R15 multicore with 478 points against 463.

Q: Does the i5-7440HQ win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins Geekbench single-core with 1184 points versus 1172 for the i5-6600T, a 1% advantage.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-6600T averages 1563 points across all benchmarks, placing it at the 39th percentile, while the i5-7440HQ averages 1527 at the 38th percentile.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The i5-6600T is rated at 35 W TDP, while the i5-7440HQ is rated at 45 W TDP.

Q: Are the cache sizes the same?

A: Yes, both CPUs have identical cache structures: 64 KB L1 per core, 64 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

The Verdict

The data points clearly toward the Intel Core i5-6600T as the stronger performer across the full benchmark suite. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 result, and the Geekbench multicore test. The margins, while modest at 2% to 3.2%, are consistent and not confined to a single workload type.

The Intel Core i5-7440HQ offers the only single-core Geekbench win, and its higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz do not translate into broader success against the i5-6600T's 2.70 GHz and 3.50 GHz clocks. With a 45 W TDP versus 35 W, the i5-7440HQ consumes more power yet falls behind in most measured tasks. Its mobile BGA 1440 socket and mobile market segment make it the only choice for a laptop or compact system where the i5-6600T's desktop Socket 1151 is not an option.

For users prioritizing raw benchmark performance, the i5-6600T is the data-supported pick. For those specifically targeting Geekbench single-core workloads or requiring a mobile processor, the i5-7440HQ has a narrow edge in one test but remains behind in every other recorded measurement. The verdict is straightforward: the Skylake desktop chip delivers better overall results in the database, while the Kaby Lake-H mobile chip provides a single benchmark advantage and the flexibility of a mobile form factor.