Intel Core i5-6500T

Desktop CPUIntel

Also called intel core i5-6500t, core i5-6500t, i5-6500t, core-i5-6500t

IntelDesktop CPUSkylake

Intel Core i5 desktop processor on Skylake, with 4 cores and 4 threads and 6 MB L3 at 35 W TDP on a 14 nm process addressing up to 64 GB and Intel HD Graphics 530.

What you need to know

Intel Core i5-6500T is a legacy desktop cpu.

Intel Core i5-6500T launched in July 1, 2015., It has 4 cores and 4 threads on Skylake, dropping into the FCLGA1151 socket. Treat the spec table as the facts. Age alone does not tell you to throw it out.

Still good?: Only if the workload is light
Product age: 11 years old
Upgrade pressure: Moderate

Feex says

If apps already feel slow, check RAM and storage before you blame this CPU by name alone.

What this hardware means today

Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.

Performance today: Average. Average for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
Product age 11 years old: Legacy. Launched July 1, 2015. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
Support status: Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
Upgrade pressure: Moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.

Where does it sit?

Skylake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.

11th Gen

12th Gen

13th Gen

14th Gen

Core Ultra

Performance context

These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.

Gaming: Good

Playable in lighter titles. A weak GPU will hide whatever this chip still has.

Productivity: Average

4 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.

Multithreaded workloads: Average

4 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.

General use: Good

Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.

Efficiency: Good

Rated 35 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.

Should you upgrade?

Probably not based on CPU performance alone.

Upgrade makes more sense if

Your workload is strongly CPU limited
You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
You need substantially more multicore performance
You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer

Upgrade makes less sense if

The GPU is the real bottleneck
Current applications are already responsive
The CPU rarely limits your workload

Specifications

Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.

Processor

Intel Core i5-6500T is built on Skylake using a 14 nm process.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Processor
Manufacturer	Intel
Family	Core i5
Architecture	Skylake
Generation	6th Generation Intel Core i5 Processors
Manufacturing process	14 nm
Segment	Desktop

Cores and threads

Intel Core i5-6500T has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Cores and threads
Cores	4
Threads	4

Clock speeds

Base clock is 2.5 GHz. Boost reaches 3.1 GHz.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Clock speeds
Base frequency	2.5 GHz
Max boost	3.1 GHz

Cache

Cache on this sheet is 6 MB L3.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Cache
L3 cache	6 MB
Total cache	6 MB

Memory

Intel Core i5-6500T addresses 64 GB across 2 memory channels.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Memory
Supported types	DDR4
Max capacity	64 GB
Channels	2

Package and power

Intel Core i5-6500T uses the FCLGA1151 socket and a 35 W TDP.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Package and power
Socket	FCLGA1151
TDP	35 W
PCIe	Revision 3.0, 16 lanes

Integrated graphics

Intel Core i5-6500T includes Intel HD Graphics 530.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Integrated graphics
Integrated graphics	Intel HD Graphics 530

Market

Intel Core i5-6500T launched July 1, 2015.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Market
Launch date	July 1, 2015
Model	i5-6500T

Features

Intel Core i5-6500T records 20 instruction sets on this sheet.

Intel Core i5-6500T specifications: Features
Instruction sets	AES-NIAVX2AVXFMA64-bit (x86-64)BMI1BMI2F16CPCLMULQDQRDRANDRDSEEDSSE4.1SSE4.2x86-64-v3SSESSE2SSE3SSSE3x86-64-v2MMX
Security	Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardSGXTrusted Execution
Virtualization	Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization)Second-Level Address Translation

Compatibility

Compatibility
Socket	FCLGA1151
Board	A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision.
Memory	DDR4, up to 64 GB
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 530

A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.

Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.

Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.

No post after a CPU swap

Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.

Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.

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