Intel Core i3-6100U vs Intel Core i7-5500U: comparison

Comparison of Intel Core i3-6100U and Intel Core i7-5500U: key differences and a full specification table.

Key differences

Intel Core i3-6100U has a higher maximum memory size (32 GB vs 16 GB), a newer PCIe version (3 vs 2) and a higher maximum integrated graphics clock (1 GHz vs 950 MHz).

At the same time, Intel Core i7-5500U has a higher base clock (2.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz).

Both processors match on: core count (2), thread count (4), TDP (15 W), process node (14 nm), memory channels (2).

These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.

Key specifications

ParameterIntel Core i3-6100UIntel Core i7-5500U
Cores / threads 2 / 4 2 / 4
Max boost clock — 3 GHz
L3 cache 3 MB —
TDP 15 W 15 W
Process 14 nm 14 nm
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 520 Intel HD Graphics 5500

Full specification table

Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.

Parameter Intel Core i3-6100U Intel Core i7-5500U
General
Model i3-6100U i7-5500U
Codename Skylake Broadwell
Segment Mobile Mobile
Product line Процессоры Intel Core i3 6-го поколения Процессоры Intel Core i7 5-го поколения
Process 14 nm 14 nm
Launch date Q3 2015 Q1 2015
Status Launched Discontinued
Servicing status End of Servicing Lifetime End of Servicing Lifetime
End of servicing updates 09/30/2022 06/30/2021
Embedded options available Yes No
Use conditions Industrial Commercial Temp, Embedded Broad Market Commercial Temp, PC/Client/Tablet —
CPU
Cores 2 2
Threads 4 4
Multithreading (SMT/HT) Yes Yes
Base clock 2.3 GHz 2.4 GHz
Max boost clock — 3 GHz
Turbo Boost 2.0 frequency — 3 GHz
L3 cache 3 MB —
Cache (level unspecified) — 4 MB
Bus speed 4 GT/s 5 GT/s
TDP 15 W 15 W
Configurable TDP-down 7.5 W 7.5 W
cTDP-down base frequency 800 MHz 600 MHz
Turbo Boost No Yes (2)
64-bit support Yes Yes
Instruction set width 64 bit 64 bit
Instruction set extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Memory
Max memory size 32 GB 16 GB
Memory types DDR4, LPDDR3, DDR3L DDR3L, LPDDR3
Memory channels 2 2
Max memory bandwidth 34.1 GB/s 25.6 GB/s
ECC memory supported No —
Graphics
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 520 Intel HD Graphics 5500
Has integrated graphics Yes Yes
Graphics base frequency 300 MHz 300 MHz
Graphics max frequency 1 GHz 950 MHz
Graphics video max memory 32 GB 16 GB
Max displays 3 3
Max resolution (DP) 4096x2304@60Hz 3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution (HDMI) 4096x2304@24Hz 2560x1600@60Hz
Max resolution (eDP) 4096x2304@60Hz —
DirectX 12 12
OpenGL 4.5 4.3
Graphics device ID 0x1916 0x1616
Quick Sync Video Yes Yes
Clear Video HD Yes Yes
Clear Video Yes Yes
Graphics output eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI eDP/DP/HDMI
InTru 3D Yes Yes
Flexible Display Interface — Yes
4K support Yes, at 60Hz —
I/O and interfaces
PCI Express revision 3 2
PCI Express lanes 12 12
PCI Express configurations 1x4, 2x2, 1x2+2x1 and 4x1 4x1, 2x4
Package and thermal
Sockets supported FCBGA1356 FCBGA1168
Max CPU configuration 1 1
Package size 42mm X 24mm 40mm x 24mm x 1.3mm
TJUNCTION 100 °C 105 °C
Security and virtualization
Virtualization (VT-x / AMD-V) Yes Yes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d) Yes Yes
Extended Page Tables (EPT) Yes Yes
AES-NI Yes Yes
Execute Disable Bit Yes Yes
Intel Trusted Execution Technology No No
Secure Key Yes Yes
Intel OS Guard Yes Yes
Intel Software Guard Extensions Yes —
Intel Memory Protection Extensions Yes —
Stable IT Platform Program No No
Technologies
Enhanced SpeedStep Yes Yes
Idle States Yes Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies Yes Yes
Identity Protection Technology Yes Yes
Transactional Synchronization Extensions No No
Flex Memory Access Yes Yes
Fast Memory Access — Yes
Smart Response Technology Yes Yes

Other comparisons