Core i5-6600K vs Core i5-7500: CPU comparison

Performance score

Core i5-6600K 2015 · 4/4 cores/threads, 91 W

16.74 +3%

Core i5-7500 2017 · 4/4 cores/threads, 65 W

16.30

Core i3-12100F Core i5-12400F Ryzen 5 7500F Ryzen 7 7800X3D Ryzen 7 9800X3D Core Ultra 7 265K Core i9-14900K Ryzen 9 9950X

Core i5-6600K is 3% faster than Core i5-7500 by our estimate.

Both CPUs use the same socket (LGA1151), so you can swap one for the other on the same board (check BIOS support).

The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.

Real tests

What the test measures

Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.

CPU rendering (Blender)

Core i5-6600K

65+27 %

faster than 34% of tested · runs: 9

Core i5-7500

51

faster than 28% of tested · runs: 8

Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.

Overview

	Core i5-6600K	Core i5-7500
Score (0–100)	16.74	16.3
Ranking position	456	464
Power efficiency (0–100)	9.61	13.11
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Manufacturer	Intel	Intel
Architecture	Skylake	Kaby Lake
Release date	Q3 2015	Q1 2017

Specifications

	Core i5-6600K	Core i5-7500
Cores	4	4
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.5 GHz	3.4 GHz
Boost clock	3.9 GHz	3.8 GHz
L3 cache	6 MB	6 MB
Process node	14 nm	14 nm
Unlocked multiplier	yes	no
Integrated graphics	Intel HD Graphics 530	Intel HD Graphics 630
NPU (AI accelerator)	no	no

Compatibility

	Core i5-6600K	Core i5-7500
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
TDP	91 W	65 W

Memory and PCI Express

	Core i5-6600K	Core i5-7500
Memory type	DDR4-1866/2133	DDR4-2133/2400
Memory channels	2	2
Max memory	64 GB	64 GB
PCI Express version	3.0	3.0
PCIe lanes	16	16

Pros and cons

Core i5-6600K

unlocked multiplier (can be overclocked)

Core i5-7500

lower TDP: 65 W vs 91 W
newer: released in 2017

Other comparisons

Visitor rating

Questions and comments

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