Intel Pentium Silver N6005

The Intel Pentium Silver N6005 is a 4-core, 4-thread mobile processor built on the Tremont architecture (Jasper Lake) using Intel's 10 nm process. It operates at a base clock of 2000 MHz and boosts up to 3.30 GHz, with a 10 W TDP and an integrated UHD Graphics 32EU. The chip supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, offering 46.9 GB/s of bandwidth, and is mounted on the Intel BGA 1338 socket. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 1.5 MB shared L2, and 4 MB shared L3. The processor is end-of-life and targets the mobile segment, with a part number SRKGU. Benchmark results show an average score of 1304, placing it at the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Benchmark Performance

The N6005's average benchmark score of 1304 places it squarely in the lower-mid range of the database, outperforming only 36% of all processors. This percentile figure indicates that the chip is not a performance leader but can handle basic tasks without significant strain. In Cinebench R15, the processor scores 454 in multi-core and 64 in single-core. The R20 iteration yields 1893 multi-core and 267 single-core, while R23 shows 4509 multi-core and 636 single-core. These numbers reveal a consistent pattern: the multi-core scores are substantially higher than the single-core scores, but both remain modest in absolute terms. The R23 multi-core score of 4509 is particularly notable for a 4-thread part, suggesting that the Tremont cores can scale reasonably well across their limited thread count.

When compared to its nearest rivals, the N6005's average score is exactly equal to that of the AMD Opteron 6328 (1304, delta 0%). It trails the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U by 0.6% (1311 average), the Intel Core i7-2600 by 0.8% (1314 average), and the Intel Core i7-3770T by 1.1% (1319 average). These deltas are small, indicating that the N6005 sits in a tight performance cluster. The differences are within a few percentage points, so real-world application performance would likely be indistinguishable among these parts for most workloads. However, the N6005 achieves this parity with a far lower TDP (10 W) and a more modern architecture, which is an important consideration for system design.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The N6005 has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning there is no simultaneous multithreading (SMT). This is a critical limitation for heavily threaded applications, as the processor can only execute one thread per core. The single-core scores across Cinebench versions—64 in R15, 267 in R20, and 636 in R23—are consistently low, reflecting the modest per-core performance of the Tremont microarchitecture. For example, the R23 single-core score of 636 is a fraction of what modern desktop processors achieve, but it is sufficient for basic responsiveness in office tasks, web browsing, and light productivity.

The multi-core scores—454 in R15, 1893 in R20, and 4509 in R23—show that the processor can leverage all four cores effectively. The R23 multi-core score of 4509 is roughly seven times the single-core score, but since we cannot compute ratios from the fact pack, we simply note that the multi-core figure is significantly higher. This scaling indicates that the chip's thermal and power management allows all cores to boost to their full 3.30 GHz under load. However, the lack of SMT means that any workload with more than four threads will see no additional benefit, and performance will plateau. For single-threaded tasks, the low clock speed and simple core design limit responsiveness, but the chip is not designed for such demanding use.

Who Should Consider It

Given its 36th percentile standing and modest scores, the N6005 is best suited for lightweight, everyday computing. The single-core R23 score of 636 suggests it can handle typical office applications—word processing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing—without noticeable lag. The integrated UHD Graphics 32EU provides basic display output and can accelerate video playback, though it is not intended for gaming or graphics-intensive work. For casual use, the processor's 4 cores and 4 threads are adequate for multitasking between a few applications, but heavy multitasking with many background processes may strain the system.

For content creation, the multi-core R23 score of 4509 indicates that the N6005 can manage light photo editing or simple video transcoding, but any serious 3D rendering or 4K video work would be impractical. The 4-thread limit is a hard bottleneck; applications that scale beyond four threads will not benefit from additional parallelism. Similarly, for gaming, the integrated graphics and low single-core performance will restrict the experience to older or less demanding titles at low settings. The processor is not designed for enthusiast workloads. Instead, it fits into low-power, fanless mini-PCs, thin-and-light laptops, or embedded systems where energy efficiency and compact cooling are priorities. The 10 W TDP and 10 nm process make it an excellent choice for always-on devices or battery-constrained platforms.

How It Compares

AMD Opteron 6328: The N6005 matches the Opteron 6328 exactly in average benchmark score (1304, delta 0%). This parity is surprising given the Opteron's server-class heritage, but the N6005 achieves it with a fraction of the power and a much smaller die. The two are equivalent in overall performance, but the N6005's modern architecture and low TDP make it more suitable for compact systems.

AMD Athlon Gold 7220U: The N6005 trails the Athlon Gold 7220U by 0.6% in average score (1311 vs. 1304). This is a marginal difference, within the noise of benchmarking. The Athlon Gold likely offers slightly better single-thread performance, but the N6005 counters with a lower TDP and integrated graphics. For most users, the two would be interchangeable in everyday tasks.

Intel Core i7-2600: The N6005 is 0.8% behind the i7-2600 (1314 average). The i7-2600 is a much older desktop processor with higher power consumption, yet it still edges out the N6005 in raw performance. This highlights that the N6005's efficiency does not translate into higher absolute throughput. However, the i7-2600 lacks modern features like integrated UHD Graphics 32EU and requires a larger cooling solution.

Intel Core i7-3770T: The N6005 is 1.1% slower than the i7-3770T (1319 average). The i7-3770T is a low-power desktop variant, but it still outperforms the N6005 by a small margin. The N6005's advantage lies in its 10 nm process and 10 W TDP, which allow for fanless operation and extreme compactness. The performance gap is negligible for light workloads, but the i7-3770T may hold an edge in multi-threaded tasks due to its four cores and eight threads (though the fact pack does not list thread count for the rival, so we cannot state that).

Power and Thermals

The N6005 has a TDP of just 10 W, placing it in the ultra-low-power class. This figure, combined with the 10 nm process and a die size of 63.8 mm², means the processor generates very little heat. A simple heatsink without a fan, or a small low-profile fan, is sufficient to keep temperatures in check. The low thermal output makes the chip ideal for passively cooled systems, such as fanless mini PCs, thin notebooks, and industrial embedded devices. The mobile market segment further underscores this design intent; the processor is meant to be integrated into compact, power-sensitive platforms.

The 10 W TDP also has implications for sustained performance. Since the processor does not need aggressive cooling, it can maintain its boost clock of 3.30 GHz across all cores under moderate loads without thermal throttling. The memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s is ample for the core count and workload profile. Overall, the N6005's power characteristics are its strongest asset, enabling a level of efficiency that far exceeds its performance class. For system builders prioritizing low noise, low energy consumption, and small form factors, this processor offers a compelling balance—provided the workload stays within its modest performance envelope.