Name: Intel Core i5 6442EQ
Brand: Intel

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i5 6442EQ

Overall score

3.5

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.

Platform

6.7

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel

Processor type

What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.

When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

CPU socket

What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.

When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

Chipset

What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.

When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

CPU architecture

What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.

When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

Performance

2.3

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N. of physical cores

What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.

When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

CPU threads

What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.

When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

Threads per core

What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.

When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

CPU boost clock speed

What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.

When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

CPU base clock speed

What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.

When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Cache & Architecture

4.5

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Semiconductor size

What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.

When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

Foundry

What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.

When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

L3 cache

What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.

When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

L2 cache

What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.

When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

L1 cache

What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.

When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

Memory & PCIe

4.2

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DDR memory version

What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.

When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

Maximum memory speed

What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.

When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.

When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A

Maximum memory capacity

What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

Integrated Graphics

6.9

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Integrated graphics

What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.

When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

Integrated GPU model

What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.

When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Integrated GPU execution units

What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.

When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

Integrated GPU base frequency

What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.

When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

Integrated media encoders/decoders

What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.

When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode), VP8 (HW decode/encode), VC-1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decod

Power & Thermal

7.3

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TDP (Thermal design power)

What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.

When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

Base power (PL1)

What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.

When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

Boost power (PL2)

What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.

When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

Tau (power duration limit)

What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.

When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

Configurable TDP

What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.

When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

Intel Core i5 6442EQ vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i5 6442EQ better than the average processor?

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44.4% lower base power
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower base power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <30 W
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower base power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.25 W vs 45 W
44.4% lower TDP
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower TDP than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <30 W
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower TDP than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.25 W vs 45 W
44.4% lower base power
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower base power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
44.4% lower TDP
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower TDP than the average processor (25 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.

Total

Power & Thermal

Why is Intel Core i5 6442EQ worse than the average processor?

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Narrower instruction support
Intel Core i5 6442EQ supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
5 year/s older release date
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has an older release date than the average processor (2,015 vs 2,020).
October 2015
Older CPU socket
Intel Core i5 6442EQ uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,440 vs FP2).
No crypto acceleration
Intel Core i5 6442EQ does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
37.2% lower boost clock
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
33.7% weaker single-core performance
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,647 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
68.2% weaker multi-core performance
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (886 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
42.1% lower single-core score
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (851 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
82.2% lower multi-core score
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (851 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
2 fewer CPU cores
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
57.4% lower PassMark score
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (4,483 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
No multithreading support
Intel Core i5 6442EQ does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
4 fewer CPU threads
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
1 fewer threads per core
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
9 lower clock multiplier
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (19 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
16.7% larger process node
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
60% smaller L2 cache
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
50% less L2 per core
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
12.5% less L3 per core
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1.5 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
33.3% smaller L1 cache
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (256 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
25% smaller L3 cache
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower L3 cache than the average processor (6 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
Less advanced microarchitecture
Intel Core i5 6442EQ uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Skylake vs Kaby Lake).
25.5% lower memory bandwidth
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (34.1 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
27.3% lower memory speed
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (2,133 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
Older DDR support
Intel Core i5 6442EQ supports an older DDR generation than the average processor (DDR3L/DDR4/LPDDR3 vs DDR4).
50% less memory per DIMM
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has fewer memory per DIMM than the average processor (16 GB vs 32 GB). The average processor supports 32 GB of memory per DIMM.
Inferior integrated GPU
Intel Core i5 6442EQ uses an inferior integrated GPU to the average processor (Intel HD Graphics 530 vs Intel UHD Graphics 630).
37.2% lower boost clock
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >4.7 GHz
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.2.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
68.2% weaker multi-core performance
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (886 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
What it is: A Cinebench R20 score that reflects how well the processor handles long, heavy rendering workloads across many cores.
When it matters: When you care about sustained multi-core performance in rendering, compiling, heavy creation work, or productivity workloads that use many threads.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >4700
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (886 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.886 vs 2,783
33.7% weaker single-core performance
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,647 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >3200
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,647 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.1,647 vs 2,483
42.1% lower single-core score
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (851 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects single-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
When it matters: When you care about snappy everyday performance in lighter apps, browsing, office work, or tasks that do not scale well across many cores.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >2000
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (851 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.851 vs 1,471
82.2% lower multi-core score
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (851 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects multi-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
When it matters: When you want a quick picture of multi-core speed in everyday mixed workloads, multitasking, and broadly optimized software.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >8500
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (851 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.851 vs 4,793
Narrower instruction support
Intel Core i5 6442EQ supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Core i5 6442EQ supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
2 fewer CPU cores
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: 8+
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.4 vs 6
57.4% lower PassMark score
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (4,483 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
What it is: A benchmark score that gives a broad idea of overall processor performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick overall performance comparison.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >19000
Intel Core i5 6442EQ has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (4,483 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.4,483 vs 10,532.5

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i5 6442EQ?

Efficient power consumption with a low Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 25W, making it suitable for low-heat environments.
Reliable for basic daily tasks like web browsing, office work, and standard productivity apps.
Features 4 physical cores, which provides better multi-core performance compared to same-generation dual-core i3 or Pentium chips.
Cost-effective option for budget-conscious users when purchased pre-owned for simple systems.
Higher maximum operating temperature (100°C) compared to some other desktop models, offering better thermal headroom in compact builds.

What customers dislike about Intel Core i5 6442EQ?

Significantly outdated technology that struggles to meet the system requirements of modern software and AAA games.
Low base clock speed of 1.9 GHz and a modest turbo boost of 2.7 GHz limit its single-core performance.
Lacks hyper-threading (4 cores/4 threads), which hinders multitasking efficiency compared to newer or higher-tier CPUs.
Integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 is inadequate for 4K video rendering or high-end gaming.
Commonly only available as a used or 'end-of-servicing' part, which may lead to reliability concerns for new critical builds.

Expert reviews

browser.geekbench.com

26/03/2026

Intel Core i5-6442EQ Benchmarks - Geekbench 6 Results

The Intel Core i5-6442EQ is a Skylake-generation, quad-core processor designed for low-power (25W TDP) embedded and industrial applications. Featuring a 1.90 GHz base frequency (2.70 GHz boost) and Intel HD Graphics 530, it prioritizes energy efficiency and thermal management over high-performance computing. While suitable for basic office tasks, the processor lacks Hyper-Threading,...Read more

cpubenchmark.net

27/03/2026

Intel Core i5-6442EQ @ 1.90GHz - CPU PassMark Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-6442EQ is a 6th-generation "Skylake" processor optimized for embedded and industrial applications. It features 4 cores/4 threads with a 1.90 GHz base clock (2.70 GHz boost) and supports 64 GB of DDR4-2133 memory. A key advantage is its low-power 25W TDP, ideal for fanless industrial systems. Based on PassMark data, the i5-6442EQ is a legacy component with a...Read more

29/06/2026

Intel Core i5-6442EQ Performance Scores - Geekbench

The Intel Core i5-6442EQ is a Skylake-based quad-core processor tailored for embedded systems, operating at 1.90 GHz to 2.70 GHz with 6 MB cache and integrated HD Graphics 530. Featuring a low 25W TDP and 100°C thermal tolerance, the CPU excels in compact, fanless industrial designs while supporting up to 64 GB of DDR4-2133 memory. However, the chip lacks Hyper-Threading, resulting...Read more

Intel Core i5 6442EQ Review | 78 Data compared

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Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i5 6442EQ

Intel Core i5 6442EQ vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i5 6442EQ better than the average processor?

Why is Intel Core i5 6442EQ worse than the average processor?

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i5 6442EQ and other processors

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i5 6442EQ?

What customers dislike about Intel Core i5 6442EQ?

Expert reviews

Best alternatives

Compare Intel Core i5 6442EQ with other processors