CPU Comparison

The Intel Pentium Gold G6505 and the Intel Processor N95 represent two very different approaches to low-end computing. The G6505 is a desktop part built on an older, mature process with high clock speeds, while the N95 is a low-power mobile chip using a newer, more efficient architecture. Benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: each processor dominates in different workloads, making the choice highly dependent on the intended use case. The G6505, with a 30th percentile ranking among all CPUs, and the N95, at the 29th percentile, are closely matched overall, but their performance profiles are anything but identical.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N95 is significantly faster in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 914 versus the Pentium Gold G6505's 524, a 42.7% advantage. This lead is even more pronounced in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the N95's 151 score is 65.6% higher than the G6505's 52.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The winner depends on the benchmark generation. The Pentium Gold G6505 wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 3715, which is 34.2% higher than the N95's 2769. However, in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the N95 wins with 445 points versus the G6505's 374, a 16% difference.

Q: How do their core counts and power consumption differ?

A: The Pentium Gold G6505 has 2 cores and 4 threads with a 58 W TDP. The Intel Processor N95 has 4 cores and 4 threads, but its TDP is significantly lower at 15 W. This makes the N95 a much more power-efficient part on paper.

Q: What are the architectural differences between the two chips?

A: The G6505 is based on the Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the N95 uses the newer Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm node. They also have different sockets: the G6505 uses Intel Socket 1200, and the N95 uses Intel BGA 1264.

Q: Which processor has more cache memory?

A: The Intel Processor N95 has a larger L3 cache at 6 MB shared, compared to the Pentium Gold G6505's 4 MB shared. The N95 also has a larger L2 cache at 2 MB shared, whereas the G6505 has 256 KB per core.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The Pentium Gold G6505 supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Intel Processor N95 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but only in single-channel mode, with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a clear picture of two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Processor N95 is the clear winner in single-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 914 is dramatically higher than the G6505's 524. This advantage is consistent across both Cinebench R15 and R23 versions, with deltas of 65.6% and 42.7% respectively. This makes the N95 the superior choice for everyday tasks that rely on responsiveness from a single core, such as web browsing, office applications, and light productivity.

Conversely, the Pentium Gold G6505 shows its strength in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Its score of 3715 is 34.2% higher than the N95's 2769. This suggests that in a modern multi-threaded rendering workload, the G6505 can outperform the N95, despite having fewer cores. However, this win is contradicted by the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where the N95 wins by 16%. This inconsistency indicates that the G6505's advantage may be specific to certain types of multi-threaded workloads or benchmark versions.

The N95 also wins in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, with a score of 445 versus 374, a 16% advantage. This means the N95 wins three out of the four head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The G6505's single victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is substantial, but it is the only test where it comes out ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Pentium Gold G6505 is a desktop processor from the Comet Lake generation, featuring the Comet Lake-R codename. It uses a 14 nm process node and has a traditional design with 2 cores and 4 threads. Its cache hierarchy is split per-core, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a shared 4 MB L3 cache. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory and integrates UHD Graphics 630.

The Intel Processor N95 is a mobile processor from the Alder Lake-N generation, using the Gracemont architecture. It is built on a more advanced 10 nm process node. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, and its cache configuration is different, with 96 KB of L1 per core and a shared 2 MB L2 cache, along with a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but only in single-channel mode, and integrates UHD Graphics 710. The N95 is designed for a mobile socket, BGA 1264, and has a significantly lower TDP of 15 W.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several key differences between the two parts. The most obvious is the core count: the G6505 has 2 cores, while the N95 has 4. The base clock speeds are listed differently, with the G6505 at 4.20 GHz and the N95 at 100.00 MHz, though the N95 has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The TDP is a major differentiator, with the G6505 at 58 W and the N95 at just 15 W.

Memory support is another area of divergence. The G6505 uses dual-channel DDR4, offering a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The N95 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but operates in single-channel mode, with a slightly lower bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The PCIe configurations also differ: the G6505 has 16 lanes of Gen 3, while the N95 has 9 lanes of Gen 3. The integrated graphics are different models, with the G6505 featuring UHD Graphics 630 and the N95 featuring UHD Graphics 710. Finally, the G6505 carries a launch MSRP of $75, while no launch MSRP is listed for the N95.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Pentium Gold G6505 delivers a decisive victory. Its score of 3715 is a full 34.2% higher than the N95's 2769. This is a significant margin and demonstrates that the G6505's higher clock speed and desktop-oriented design can translate to strong performance in modern multi-threaded rendering tasks.

However, the Intel Processor N95 dominates the single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N95 scores 914, which is 42.7% higher than the G6505's 524. The gap is even larger in the older Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the N95's 151 score is 65.6% higher than the G6505's 52. This massive single-core advantage suggests that the Gracemont architecture is highly efficient per clock.

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test adds a wrinkle to the analysis. Here, the N95 wins with a score of 445, which is 16% higher than the G6505's 374. This result is the opposite of the R23 multi-core outcome, making it difficult to declare a definitive multi-core winner. It appears the G6505's performance scales better in the newer R23 benchmark, while the N95 holds an advantage in the older R15 test.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the choice between these two processors hinges entirely on the priority of the user. For workloads that are heavily single-threaded, the Intel Processor N95 is the clear choice. Its commanding leads of 42.7% and 65.6% in the single-core benchmarks make it the superior processor for general desktop responsiveness, web browsing, and applications that do not scale well across multiple cores.

For users who prioritize a specific type of modern multi-threaded performance, as measured by Cinebench R23, the Pentium Gold G6505 is the better option. Its 34.2% lead in that specific test is substantial, and it indicates that the G6505 can handle certain rendering tasks more effectively than the N95. However, this advantage is not universal, as the N95 wins the R15 multi-core test by 16%.

The Pentium Gold G6505 is a desktop processor with a higher TDP and a launch MSRP of $75, designed for a traditional socket. The Intel Processor N95 is a low-power mobile chip with a 15 W TDP, which may be more suitable for compact or fanless systems. The data suggests that the N95 is the more versatile performer for everyday tasks, while the G6505 offers a specific advantage in modern multi-core workloads. Therefore, a user building a desktop system for light, responsive general use should look to the N95, while a user with a specific need for strong Cinebench R23 multi-core performance should consider the G6505.