Home / Intel Pentium / Intel Pentium Gold G6500: Performance and Specs

Intel Pentium Gold G6500

Intel Pentium Gold G6500

Intel Pentium Gold G6500: Budget Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025

April 2025

Key Specifications: What Does Pentium Gold G6500 Offer?

The Intel Pentium Gold G6500 processor, released in 2020, remains a popular choice for budget builds. Despite its age, it maintains relevance due to its balance of price and basic performance.

Architecture and Process Technology

- Codename: Comet Lake-S (14 nm).

- Cores/Threads: 2 cores, 4 threads (Hyper-Threading).

- Frequency: Base - 4.1 GHz, no turbo mode.

- Cache: 4 MB L3.

- Integrated Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 (base frequency - 350 MHz, maximum - 1.1 GHz).

Performance

- Geekbench 6: 821 (single-core), 1700 (multi-core).

- TDP: 58 W.

Key Features

- Supports DDR4-2666 memory.

- Integrated graphics suitable for 4K content.

- Compatible with Windows 11 (requires TPM 2.0 to be enabled on the motherboard).

Compatible Motherboards: How to Choose?

The processor uses the LGA 1200 socket, which limits motherboard choices to 400-series and 500-series chipsets.

Recommended Chipsets

- H410/B460: Budget boards (e.g., ASRock H410M-HDV, ~$60). Suitable for office PCs.

- H470/Z490: For upgrades (e.g., Gigabyte Z490 UD, ~$120). Support memory overclocking and faster SSDs.

Selection Considerations

- Check the BIOS version: some boards require an update for the Pentium G6500 to function.

- Avoid boards with 500-series chipsets (e.g., H510) if you do not plan to upgrade to Intel's 11th generation.

Supported Memory: DDR4 and Dual-Channel Mode

The processor works only with DDR4 (maximum frequency - 2666 MHz).

- Recommendations:

- Use 2 memory modules (e.g., 2x8 GB DDR4-2666) to activate dual-channel mode. This can improve performance of the UHD 630 graphics by 15-20%.

- Avoid DDR5: the processor and LGA 1200 socket do not support the new standard.

Example: A Patriot Signature DDR4-2666 16 GB kit (2x8 GB) is priced at ~$45 (2025).

Power Supply: How Many Watts Are Needed?

With a TDP of 58 W, the processor is extremely energy-efficient.

- Without a discrete graphics card: A 300-400 W power supply is sufficient (e.g., EVGA 400 N1, ~$35).

- With a graphics card: For models like the NVIDIA GTX 1650 (TDP 75 W), choose a PSU rated at 450-500 W (Cooler Master MWE 500 Bronze, ~$55).

Important: Even inexpensive PSUs can handle the Pentium G6500, but do not compromise on quality - it’s not worth risking your components.

Pros and Cons of Pentium Gold G6500

Pros:

- Low price (~$75 for new units in 2025).

- Energy efficiency (suitable for mini-PCs).

- Integrated graphics for 4K video and light gaming.

Cons:

- Only 2 cores: multitasking is limited.

- No support for PCIe 4.0 (only PCIe 3.0).

- 14 nm architecture is outdated compared to 7 nm AMD Ryzen 3.

Use Cases: Who Is It Suitable For?

1. Office Tasks: Working with documents, browser, Zoom.

- Example: A PC with 8 GB DDR4 and an SSD boots Windows 11 in 10-12 seconds.

2. Multimedia: Streaming 4K video (Netflix, YouTube) via HDMI 1.4.

- Limitation: HDR is not supported.

3. Light Gaming:

- CS:GO - 720p, low settings, ~50-60 FPS.

- Minecraft - 1080p, ~60 FPS.

4. Home Server: Low power consumption is beneficial for NAS.

Comparison with Competitors

1. AMD Athlon 3000G (2C/4T, Vega 3):

- Cheaper (~$60), but weaker in single-core tests (Geekbench 6: ~700).

2. Intel Core i3-10100 (4C/8T):

- 30% faster in multi-threading (Geekbench 6: ~2500), but more expensive (~$110).

3. AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (4C/4T, Vega 8):

- Better graphics and 4 cores (~$90), but higher TDP (65 W).

Conclusion: The Pentium G6500 is a choice for those looking to save money but not ready to switch to AMD.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Opt for a B460 for future upgrade to Core i5-10400.

2. Storage: An SSD is essential (e.g., Kingston A400 240 GB, ~$25).

3. Cooling: The standard boxed cooler is sufficient.

4. Case: Mini-form factor (Fractal Design Core 1100, ~$45) for compactness.

Example Build:

- Processor: Pentium G6500 - $75.

- Motherboard: ASRock B460M-HDV - $70.

- Memory: 16 GB DDR4-2666 - $45.

- SSD: 240 GB - $25.

- PSU: EVGA 400W - $35.

- Total: ~$250 (without case).

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Pentium Gold G6500?

This processor is a good choice if:

- You need a PC for internet, office work, or as a media center.

- Your budget is limited to $250-300.

- You don’t plan to use demanding applications or games.

Why choose it?

- The lowest price in the Intel segment.

- Simple assembly without complicated settings.

- Powerful enough for basic tasks in 2025.

However, for gaming or graphic work, it’s better to add a graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GTX 1650) or choose Ryzen 3. Otherwise, it’s a reliable "workhorse" for everyday needs.

CPU Comparison

Compare Pentium Gold G6500 with other CPUs

Please select CPU from the dropdown list.

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
April 2020
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
G6500
Code Name
Comet Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
2
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
4
Basic Frequency
4.10 GHz
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.
Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
?
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.
Yes
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
?
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.
Yes
Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 identifies the best performing core(s) on a processor and provides increased performance on those cores through increasing frequency as needed by taking advantage of power and thermal headroom.
No
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.
No
L3 Cache
4 MB
Cache
?
CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.
4 MB Intel® Smart Cache
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
FCLGA1200
Intel AES New Instructions
?
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Yes
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14 nm
TDP
58 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100°C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
3.0
Max Number of PCI Express Lanes
?
A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.
16
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
64-bit
Intel 64
?
Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.
Yes
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
?
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.
Yes
PCI Express Configurations
?
PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.
Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4-2666
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
128 GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
Bus Speed
8 GT/s
Max Memory Bandwidth
?
Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).
41.6 GB/s

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
Intel® UHD Graphics 630
Graphics Base Frequency
?
Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.
350 MHz
Graphics Frequency
?
Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.
1.10 GHz
4K Support
Yes | at 60Hz
Graphics Video Max Memory
64 GB
DirectX Support
?
DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.
12
Max Resolution (DP)
?
Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096x2304@60Hz
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)
?
Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.
4096x2304@60Hz
Max Resolution (HDMI)
?
Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096x2160@30Hz
Number of Displays Supported
3
Intel Clear Video HD Technology
?
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.
Yes
Intel Clear Video Technology
Yes
Intel InTru 3D Technology
Yes
OpenGL Support
?
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
4.5
Intel Quick Sync Video
?
Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.
Yes

Miscellaneous

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)
?
Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.
Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2
Execute Disable Bit
?
Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.
Yes
Intel Boot Guard
?
Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.
Yes
Intel OS Guard
Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
821
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
1700
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
937
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
1927
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
2479
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
4145

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core
Xeon E3-1240
925 +12.7%
Ryzen 5 3500C
882 +7.4%
Pentium Gold G6500
821
Pentium Gold G5620
763 -7.1%
Xeon E5-1650 v2
708 -13.8%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
Core i7-3770T
2021 +18.9%
Core i5-3550
1846 +8.6%
Pentium Gold G6500
1700
Pentium Gold 6500Y
1535 -9.7%
FX-6200
1403 -17.5%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
Ryzen 3 5300U
974 +3.9%
Xeon Gold 5320
958 +2.2%
Pentium Gold G6500
937
Xeon Platinum 8358P
922 -1.6%
Xeon Gold 5412U
904 -3.5%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
Core i3-1110G4
2202 +14.3%
Celeron G6900E
2053 +6.5%
Pentium Gold G6500
1927
Core i3-8130U
1765 -8.4%
Celeron N5100
1644 -14.7%
Passmark CPU Single Core
Xeon W-2140B
2557 +3.1%
EPYC 7453
2522 +1.7%
Pentium Gold G6500
2479
Ryzen 5 5500U
2443 -1.5%
Core i5-9600T
2416 -2.5%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
Atom x7433RE
4611 +11.2%
Core i3-1110G4
4390 +5.9%
Pentium Gold G6500
4145
Athlon 300U
3944 -4.8%
PRO A10-8850B
3752 -9.5%