Name: Intel Core i7 6498DU
Brand: Intel

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i7 6498DU

Overall score

5.3

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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

7.3

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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

N/A

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

5.1

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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

5.6

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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

3.7

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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

6.0

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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

Power & Thermal

7.6

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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 i7 6498DU vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i7 6498DU better than the average processor?

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66.7% lower base power
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 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 i7 6498DU has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.15 W vs 45 W
60.9% lower boost power
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
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
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.25 W vs 64 W
66.7% lower TDP
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 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 i7 6498DU has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.15 W vs 45 W
16.7% more L3 per core
Intel Core i7 6498DU has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
What it is: The amount of L3 cache effectively available per CPU core.
When it matters: When you are comparing how much shared cache each core can draw on in deeper technical analysis.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=2 MB/core
Intel Core i7 6498DU has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core
16.7% more L3 per core
Intel Core i7 6498DU has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
66.7% lower base power
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
60.9% lower boost power
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (25 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
66.7% lower TDP
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.

Total

Cache & Architecture

Power & Thermal

Why is Intel Core i7 6498DU worse than the average processor?

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5 year/s older release date
Intel Core i7 6498DU has an older release date than the average processor (2,015 vs 2,020).
December 2015
Older CPU socket
Intel Core i7 6498DU uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,356 vs FP2).
No crypto acceleration
Intel Core i7 6498DU does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
27.9% lower boost clock
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
4 fewer CPU cores
Intel Core i7 6498DU has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (2 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
28% weaker single-core performance
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,788 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
68% lower PassMark score
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (3,372 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
4 fewer CPU threads
Intel Core i7 6498DU has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
50% lower bus speed
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower bus speed than the average processor (4 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor runs at bus speed of 8 GT/s.
59.3% weaker overclocked performance
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower overclocked performance than the average processor (3,687 vs 9,051). The average processor scores 9,051 in overclocked PassMark.
16.7% larger process node
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
66.7% smaller L1 cache
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (128 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
50% less L2 per core
Intel Core i7 6498DU 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.
50% smaller L3 cache
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower L3 cache than the average processor (4 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
Less advanced microarchitecture
Intel Core i7 6498DU uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Skylake vs Kaby Lake).
25.5% lower memory bandwidth
Intel Core i7 6498DU 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.
4 fewer PCIe lanes
Intel Core i7 6498DU has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (12 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
27.3% lower memory speed
Intel Core i7 6498DU 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.
50% less memory capacity
Intel Core i7 6498DU has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (32 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
Older DDR support
Intel Core i7 6498DU supports an older DDR generation than the average processor (DDR3L/DDR4/LPDDR3 vs DDR4).
Limited PCIe bifurcation
Intel Core i7 6498DU supports less flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x4, x2/x2, x2/x1/x1, x1/x1/x1/x1 vs x16, x8/x8).
Narrower media codec support
Intel Core i7 6498DU supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode), VP8 (HW decode/encode), JPEG (HW decode/encode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
Inferior integrated GPU
Intel Core i7 6498DU uses an inferior integrated GPU to the average processor (Intel HD Graphics 510 vs Intel UHD Graphics 630).
50% fewer GPU execution units
Intel Core i7 6498DU has fewer GPU execution units than the average processor (12 vs 24). The average processor has 24 GPU execution units.
27.9% lower boost clock
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.1 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 i7 6498DU has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.3.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
4 fewer CPU cores
Intel Core i7 6498DU has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (2 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 i7 6498DU has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (2 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.2 vs 6
28% weaker single-core performance
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,788 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 i7 6498DU has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,788 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.1,788 vs 2,483
68% lower PassMark score
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (3,372 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 i7 6498DU has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (3,372 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.3,372 vs 10,532.5
16.7% larger process node
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
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
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.14 nm vs 12 nm
4 fewer CPU threads
Intel Core i7 6498DU has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 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+
Intel Core i7 6498DU has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.4 vs 8
50% less L2 per core
Intel Core i7 6498DU 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.
What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=1 MB/core
Intel Core i7 6498DU 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.0.25 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
66.7% smaller L1 cache
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (128 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
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
Intel Core i7 6498DU has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (128 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.128 KB vs 384 KB

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i7 6498DU?

Efficient for everyday tasks like web browsing and office productivity
Low power consumption (15W TDP) helps maintain longer laptop battery life
Supports hyper-threading, allowing 4 threads for better multitasking than i5/i3 models of its era
Relatively fast boot and shutdown times when paired with an SSD
Reliable performance for light media consumption and basic photo editing

What customers dislike about Intel Core i7 6498DU?

Outdated for modern AAA gaming, struggling to maintain playable frame rates on anything above low settings
Dual-core architecture (2 cores) is significantly weaker than newer quad-core and octa-core mobile processors
Integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 510) are basic and not suitable for professional video editing or 3D rendering
Prone to thermal throttling in very thin laptops under sustained heavy loads
Considered 'obsolete' compared to 10th Gen and newer i3 processors that offer similar or better performance

Expert reviews

cpubenchmark.net

15/03/2026

Intel Core i7-6498DU @ 2.50GHz - CPU Benchmarks and Test Results

The Intel Core i7-6498DU is a dual-core, 6th Generation Skylake-U mobile processor launched in late 2016, designed for thin-and-light laptops with a 15W TDP, 2.50 GHz base clock, and 4 MB Smart Cache. Pros include strong single-thread performance (approx. 1,788) for daily tasks, supporting up to 32 GB DDR4-2133 memory and 4K display output. Key cons are limited multi-threaded...Read more

Intel Core i7 6498DU Review | 78 Data compared

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Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i7 6498DU

Intel Core i7 6498DU vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i7 6498DU better than the average processor?

Why is Intel Core i7 6498DU worse than the average processor?

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i7 6498DU and other processors

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i7 6498DU?

What customers dislike about Intel Core i7 6498DU?

Expert reviews

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