Intel Core i5-6600
The current Intel Core i5-6600 price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Intel · CPU
Retailer photo of Intel Core i5-6600. View this offer in Where to buy
Trade-offs: Current price sits $10 above the strong-value threshold (~$35)
- Cores / threads
- 4C / 4T
- Boost clock
- 3900 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 1151
- TDP
- 154 W
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: LowAt $45 the Intel Core i5-6600 is priced in line with its $45 representative market level. Only one retailer currently backs that price, so the level is a single data point rather than a market.
Limited market: only one retailer currently has a verified offer, so treat this price as a single data point.
Prices & availability
Intel Core i5-6600: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
1 tracked offers · 1 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5-6600 | Newegg | New | $45 | 62 | 2026-11-08 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i5-6600Multiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#252 of 270 graded processors
- #249 IntelIntel Core i7-4820K 4
- #250 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 1200 4
- #251 IntelIntel Core i3-8100 4
- #252 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 4
- #253 IntelIntel Core i5-7500 4
- #254 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1225 V5 3
- #255 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1220 V5 3
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#21 of 270 currently priced processors
- #18 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 66
- #19 IntelIntel Core i5-14400F 65
- #20 IntelIntel Core Ultra 5 225 62
- #21 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 62
- #22 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 8500G 62
- #23 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5600 62
- #24 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 4100 60
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#241 of 270 graded processors
- #238 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 2700 51
- #239 IntelIntel Core i7-4790 51
- #240 IntelIntel Core i5-4690K 51
- #241 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 51
- #242 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1225 V5 51
- #243 IntelIntel Xeon E5 2660 V3 51
- #244 IntelIntel Core i5-7500 51
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#160 of 270 currently priced processors
- #157 IntelIntel Core i9-10900F 36
- #158 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 36
- #159 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 5950X 36
- #160 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 36
- #161 IntelIntel Core i9-10900KF 36
- #162 IntelIntel Core i7-9800X 34
- #163 IntelIntel Core i9-9820X 34
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#252 of 270 graded processors
- #249 IntelIntel Core i7-4820K 4
- #250 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 1200 4
- #251 IntelIntel Core i3-8100 4
- #252 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 4
- #253 IntelIntel Core i5-7500 4
- #254 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1225 V5 3
- #255 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1220 V5 3
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#220 of 270 currently priced processors
- #217 IntelIntel Core i7-8086K 20
- #218 IntelIntel Core i7-6700K 19
- #219 IntelIntel Core i5-6500T 19
- #220 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 19
- #221 IntelIntel Core i5-7600K 19
- #222 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 2200G 19
- #223 IntelIntel Core i5-7500 19
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#260 of 270 graded processors
- #257 IntelIntel Core i7-5820K 7
- #258 IntelIntel Core i7 Extreme 4960X 7
- #259 IntelIntel Core i3-8100 7
- #260 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 7
- #261 IntelIntel Core i5-7500 7
- #262 AMDAMD A8-7680 7
- #263 IntelIntel Core i5-7400 6
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#42 of 270 currently priced processors
- #39 IntelIntel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus 50
- #40 IntelIntel Core i3-9100 50
- #41 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 49
- #42 IntelIntel Core i5-6600 49
- #43 IntelIntel Core i3-10105F 49
- #44 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 7600X 49
- #45 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 9600 48
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value62 | Higher capability Intel Core i7-6800K 80 +77% capability · -8% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i3-8100 100 +0% capability · -30% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeC Value36 | Higher capability Intel Core i3-8350K C 49 +6% capability · +10% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i3-8100 C 55 -1% capability · -30% price |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeF Value19 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i7-6800K F 29 +77% capability · -8% price | |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeF Value49 | Higher capability Intel Core i5-6500T F 84 +64% capability · -22% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i3-8100 F 85 +0% capability · -30% price |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded C for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
- Strong-value threshold: ~$35$35 is where Relative Value reaches 80 with Balanced priorities, in the 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 offer frame
Consider other options if
- Current price sits $10 above the strong-value threshold (~$35)cheapest tracked $45 against a $35 calculated threshold with Balanced priorities
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i3-8100 holds Relative Value 100 against its 62 with Balanced priorities, at $31
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useit grades only F there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Gaming is your main useit grades C there; Intel Core i3-8350K grades C at $49
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Gaming per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i3-8100 holds Relative Value 55 against its 36 for Gaming, at $31
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Productivity is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Productivity, but C for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useit grades F there; Intel Core i7-6800K grades F at $41
- You want strong value for Productivity specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Productivity per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i7-6800K holds Relative Value 29 against its 19 for Productivity, at $41
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Performance per Watt, but C for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit grades F there; Intel Core i5-6500T grades F at $35
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value for Performance per Watt — the calculation only gets there near $28, against a cheapest tracked $45
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i3-8100 holds Relative Value 85 against its 49 for Performance per Watt, at $31
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i5-6600
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 4
- Threads
- 4
- Performance cores
- 4
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 3300 MHz
- Boost clock
- 3900 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 154 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 154 W
- Socket
- LGA 1151
- Maximum memory
- 64 GB
- Integrated graphics
- Intel HD Graphics 530
- Process node
- 14 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 1 MB
- L3 cache
- 6 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- No
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2014
- Manufacturer part number
- CM8066201920401
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09
What to check in your build
LGA 1151 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1151. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
Unknown
Cooler rated for 154 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 154 W on socket LGA 1151.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i5-6600 offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #252 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 171. Intel Core i3-8100 currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i5-6600 offers C-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #241 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 171. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i5-6600 offers F-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #252 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 171. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i5-6600 offers F-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #260 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 171. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon listing snapshots can participate in Value while fresh. We show Check on Amazon instead of its price; confirm the current price and availability at the store. When no current listing snapshot exists, Amazon is a search link only.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 · formula cpu-value-v6.1 · facts facts-2026-11-09 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.