Intel Core i5-6500 vs Intel Core i5-6600K

Last Updated & Fact Checked:  March 21, 2026

Are you trying to decide between the Intel Core i5-6500 and the Intel Core i5-6600K?

Product Versus will provide you with all the product details so you can quickly compare the facts to find which product is right for you – the Intel Core i5-6500 or the Intel Core i5-6600K – and find out exactly what the differences are.

Both the Intel Core i5-6500 and the Intel Core i5-6600K are quality products, so read on to find out which one is best for your needs!

Intel Core i5-6500 quick facts

Intel Core i5-6600K quick facts

Intel Core i5-6500 product details

Bestseller No. 1
Intel Core i5 6500 3.20 GHz Quad Core Skylake Desktop Processor, Socket LGA 1151, 6MB Cache [BX80662I56500]
  • A new level of intelligent performance
  • Do more at once
  • Speedy content creation
  • Get your game on
Bestseller No. 2
Intel Core i5-6500 Desktop CPU Processor- SR2L6 (Renewed)
  • LGA 1151, Compatible with Intel 100 Series Chipset Motherboards
  • DDR4 & DDR3L Support
  • Display Resolution up to 4096x2304
  • Intel Turbo Boost Technology
  • Please make sure your motherboard support the CPU before you place the order
Bestseller No. 3
Intel CPU Core i5-6500 3.20GHz Quad-Core Socket LGA1151 Processor SR2L6
  • Frequency (GHz): 3.2; Frequency in IDA mode (GHz): 3.6
  • Clock multiplier: 32; Socket type: Socket 1151
  • Core stepping: R0; Processor core: Skylake-S
  • Manufacturing technology (micron): 0.014; Number of cores: 4
  • L2 cache size (MB): 1; L3 cache size (MB): 6

Intel Core i5-6600K product details

Bestseller No. 1
Intel Core i5-6600K Skylake LGA 1151, BX80662I56600K
  • Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Bestseller No. 2
Intel Core i5 6600K 3.50 GHz Quad Core Skylake Desktop Processor, Socket LGA 1151, 6MB Cache (BX80662I56600K) (Renewed)
  • LGA 1151
  • Unlocked Processor
  • DDR4 & DDR3L Support
  • Display Resolution up to 4096x2304
  • Intel Turbo Boost Technology
Bestseller No. 3
Intel Core i5-7500 LGA 1151 7th Gen Core Desktop Processor (Renewed)
  • Supports up to 64GB of DDR4-2400 RAM
  • Quad Core Processor
  • up to 3.8 GHZ Turbo Frequency
  • 3.40 GHz up to 3.80 GHz Max Turbo Frequency / 6 MB Cache

New products & alternatives to the Intel Core i5-6500 and the Intel Core i5-6600K

New
Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 225F 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) up to 4.9 GHz
  • 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 14 threads.
  • Performance hybrid architecture integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
  • Up to 4.9 GHz. 22 MB Cache
  • Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
  • PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 support. Intel Optane Memory support. No thermal solution included. Discrete graphics required
New
Intel Core Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 245KF - 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) up to 5.2 GHz
  • Get ultra-efficient with Intel Core Ultra desktop processors that improve both performance and efficiency so your PC can run cooler, quieter, and quicker.
  • Core & Threads 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 14 threads. Integrated Intel Graphics included
  • Performance Hybrid Architecture Integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
  • Performance Unlocked Up to 5.2 GHz unlocked. 26M Cache
  • Compatibility Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
New
Intel Core Ultra 7 Desktop Processor 265K - 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) up to 5.5 GHz
  • Get ultra-efficient with Intel Core Ultra desktop processors that improve both performance and efficiency so your PC can run cooler, quieter, and quicker.
  • Core and Threads 20 cores (8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores) and 20 threads
  • Performance Hybrid Architecture Integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
  • Performance Unlocked Up to 5.5 GHz unlocked. 36MB Cache
  • Compatibility Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
New
Intel® Core™ i5-14500 Desktop Processor, 14 Cores (6 P-Cores + 8 E-Cores) up to 5 GHz
  • Intel Core i5 Desktop Processors (14th Gen) support PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 technologies, as well as DDR5 and DDR4 memory.
  • They are optimized for gaming and productivity, and deliver high performance.
  • Compatible with Intel 700 series and Intel 600 series chipset based motherboards.
  • Processor base power 65 W.
  • Intel Laminar RM1 included in the box.

Our conclusion on the Intel Core i5-6500 vs Intel Core i5-6600K

Both the Intel Core i5-6500 and the Intel Core i5-6600K are high quality products and we are sure you will be happy with either one. In the end it comes down to your budget and the value for money you are looking for.

Either way, the Intel Core i5-6500 and the Intel Core i5-6600K are both excellent products that will more than do their job!