Intel Core i5-6400

The Intel Core i5-6400 is a 14 nm Skylake desktop processor released on 2015-07-01. It has four physical cores and four threads, with a 2.70 GHz base clock and a 3.30 GHz boost clock. The chip is built by Intel, uses a 177 mm² die, and carries a 65 W TDP. It fits Intel Socket 1151, supports dual-channel DDR4 memory at 34.1 GB/s, and includes HD Graphics 530. The average benchmark score is 1271, placing the part at the 35th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Intel's launch MSRP was $182, and the production status is end-of-life.

Who Should Consider It

The workload data points to a processor for everyday desktop use rather than heavy compute. Single-core Cinebench results are R15 62, R20 260, and R23 620. Those scores are modest but workable for common office tasks such as document editing, web browsing, and spreadsheet work. The integrated HD Graphics 530 means a basic office build does not need a separate graphics card, and the 65 W TDP keeps the thermal demands low.

Gaming is a conditional use case. There are no game frame-rate results in the dataset, but the 35th percentile overall ranking and the 1271 average score place the i5-6400 in the mid-to-lower portion of the performance field. A four-core, four-thread design will rely on a discrete GPU for gaming, and the CPU itself is better suited to modest settings than to high-refresh competitive play. The HD Graphics 530 can provide display output for non-gaming systems, but it is not a substitute for dedicated graphics hardware.

Content creation is not a strong suit. Multi-thread Cinebench scores are R15 443, R20 1846, and R23 4397. Those are the highest results in the benchmark set, but they still expose the limits of a 4-core/4-thread part. Light photo editing or occasional video work is within reach; sustained all-core rendering is not. The cache layout is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3, which helps with cache-sensitive workloads but does not offset the lack of additional threads.

This is a desktop-market part, so it targets full-size systems rather than mobile platforms. Users who need ECC memory should not choose it, because ECC support is false. Buyers looking for a long-term upgrade path should also note the end-of-life status before committing to a build.

How It Compares

The i5-6400 sits inside a very tight cluster of nearest rivals. Against the Intel Core i5-4430S, the i5-4430S holds an average score of 1273 while the i5-6400 scores 1271, a delta of -0.2%. That is effectively a tie in average benchmark terms.

The Intel Core i5-2550K posts an average score of 1276 with a delta of -0.4%. The i5-6400 is behind again, but the margin is small enough that the benchmark data does not suggest a decisive performance gap.

The Intel Core i5-4670T is the one listed rival that the i5-6400 leads. Its average score is 1266, and the deltaPct is 0.4% in favor of the i5-6400. This is a positive result, though still a narrow one.

The Intel Core i7-3610QE has the highest average score among the listed rivals at 1279, with a delta of -0.6% against the i5-6400. Overall, the listed rivals sit within 0.6% of the i5-6400, meaning no rival in this group dominates in average benchmark score.

Power and Thermals

The 65 W TDP places the i5-6400 in the mainstream desktop power class. A standard air cooler can handle the thermal load, and the 14 nm process plus 177 mm² die size keep heat density at a level that does not demand high-end cooling. The multiplier is locked, so there is no overclocking headroom to raise clocks beyond stock. The maximum frequency is the 3.30 GHz boost clock, with the base clock at 2.70 GHz. This makes the thermal profile predictable: a 65 W-class CPU that does not require exotic cooling.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-6400 uses Intel Socket 1151 and is based on the Skylake architecture. It was released on 2015-07-01 and is now end-of-life. Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, and ECC memory is not supported. The CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen3 lanes, with the "CPU only" note in the data indicating these are lanes from the processor rather than the chipset. The integrated graphics is HD Graphics 530, so the platform can run without a discrete card.

The cache hierarchy is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The multiplier is locked, and the part number is SR2L7. As an end-of-life Socket 1151 processor, the upgrade path is constrained by the platform's production status; the data does not indicate any forward-looking socket options for this chip.

FAQ

Q: How many threads does the Core i5-6400 have?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What memory type does it support?

A: It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: Does it include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes HD Graphics 530.

Q: Can the multiplier be unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The multiplierUnlocked field is false.

Q: Which nearest rival is the i5-6400 ahead of?

A: It is ahead of the Intel Core i5-4670T, which has an average score of 1266 versus 1271 for the i5-6400, a deltaPct of 0.4%.

Q: What socket does it use and how many PCIe lanes does it provide?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1151 and provides 16 PCIe Gen3 lanes from the CPU.