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Intel Core i5-6260U

Intel Core i5-6260U: Overview of a 2016 Ultrabook Processor in 2025

Introduction

The Intel Core i5-6260U processor, released in 2015, became a part of the sixth generation of Intel Core (Skylake) and was long considered a successful solution for mid-range ultrabooks. However, in 2025, its relevance raises questions. We will explore who can benefit from this chip today, its strengths, and why it is no longer competitive with modern models.

1. Architecture and Process Technology: Skylake Features

Cores, Threads, and Frequencies

The Core i5-6260U is a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading support (4 threads). Its base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with a maximum turbo frequency of 2.9 GHz. These are typical specifications for mobile U-series CPUs from 2015-2017.

The Skylake architecture brought:

- An IPC (instructions per clock) improvement of 5-10% compared to Broadwell.

- Support for DDR4-2133 and LPDDR3-1866.

- Integration of a more powerful Iris Graphics 540 GPU.

Iris 540 Graphics

The iGPU Iris 540 is the main advantage of this processor. It utilizes 64 MB of eDRAM (fourth-level cache) and has 48 execution units (EUs). For 2016, this was groundbreaking: the graphics could handle games at 720p on low settings (e.g., CS:GO — 40-50 FPS, Overwatch — 25-30 FPS). By 2025, the Iris 540 falls short compared to even budget NVIDIA MX series graphics cards, but it is sufficient for basic tasks (4K video, simple rendering).

2. TDP and Power Consumption

The TDP of the processor is 15W, which is typical for ultrabooks. In idle mode, the chip consumes less than 5W due to:

- Speed Shift technology (quick switching between C-state modes).

- Dynamic frequency management (Intel Dynamic Tuning).

However, under load (e.g., video rendering), power consumption can reach 25W, necessitating an effective cooling system. In compact laptops, this often leads to throttling (frequency reduction).

3. Performance in Real-World Tasks

Office Work and Multimedia

- Office: In 2025, the i5-6260U can handle a browser (10+ tabs), Word, Excel, and Zoom. However, heavy PDFs or Excel files with macros may cause stuttering.

- Multimedia: 4K streaming (Netflix, YouTube) works seamlessly due to VP9 and HEVC decoding.

Gaming

- Light Games: Minecraft, Terraria, Stardew Valley — 60 FPS.

- Modern Titles: Fortnite (720p, low settings) — 20-25 FPS, which is unacceptable for comfortable gameplay.

Turbo Boost Mode

Turbo mode (up to 2.9 GHz) activates for 20-30 seconds under load but stabilizes at 2.3-2.5 GHz in the long run due to TDP limitations.

4. Use Cases

The processor is suitable for:

- Students working with text, presentations, and online courses.

- Office workers not using "heavy" applications.

- Users needing a portable laptop for internet and media.

Not suitable for:

- Gamers (except for retro games).

- Designers and engineers (Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD require at least 4 physical cores).

5. Battery Life

In 2025, laptops with the i5-6260U (if any are still available) are equipped with 40-50 Wh batteries. Under typical load (50% brightness, Wi-Fi, browsing), the battery life is about 6-8 hours.

Power-Saving Technologies:

- Panel Self Refresh — reduces screen power consumption.

- Connected Standby — allows background app updates in sleep mode.

However, modern processors (Intel Alder Lake-U, Apple M3) provide 10-14 hours of battery life under similar conditions.

6. Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 5 2500U (2017):

- 4 cores / 8 threads, Vega 8.

- Better multi-threaded performance (+30% in Cinebench R23).

- Subpar drivers for Linux.

Apple M1 (2020):

- 8 cores (4 performance + 4 efficiency), 7-core graphics.

- 3-4 times higher performance at a similar TDP.

Intel Core i5-1135G7 (2020):

- 4 cores / 8 threads, Iris Xe (80 EUs).

- Support for PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 4.

Conclusion: The i5-6260U lags behind even budget models from the 2020s.

7. Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Compact laptops with this CPU can be found for $300-400 (new, remaining stock).

- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.

- Good graphics for its time.

Cons:

- Only 2 cores - limited multitasking capabilities.

- No support for USB 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 3.

- Outdated process technology (14 nm vs. 5-7 nm for 2025 competitors).

8. Recommendations for Laptop Selection

If you are considering a device with an i5-6260U in 2025, pay attention to:

1. RAM: At least 8GB (preferably 16GB for Windows 11).

2. Storage Type: Only SSD (NVMe preferred over SATA).

3. Display: Full HD (HD+ laptops are no longer relevant).

4. Ports: USB-C with charging support.

Model Examples:

- Dell XPS 13 (2016) — about $350 (new, clearance).

- Lenovo Yoga 710 — $300-400.

Tip: For the same $400-500, you can buy a laptop with Ryzen 5 5500U (6 cores, 12 threads) or Intel Core i3-1215U (2022), which are significantly more powerful.

9. Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i5-6260U in 2025 is an option for a very limited budget or specific tasks (such as installing Linux on old hardware). Its key advantages are low price and moderate power consumption. However, for comfortable use with modern applications, it is better to choose a laptop based on processors from 2022-2024: they will provide a performance buffer of 3-5 years and support for current standards (Wi-Fi 6E, USB4).

Who it suits:

- Users needing a second laptop for simple tasks.

- Enthusiasts building budget systems on Linux.

- Those who prioritize portability and battery life at minimal costs.

In other cases, invest in more modern solutions — even budget CPUs from 2025 will leave Skylake far behind.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

July 2015

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.

i5-6260U

Code Name

SkyLake

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).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

1.80 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

2.90 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

2.90 GHz

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.

2.0

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

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1356

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

15 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

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.

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

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

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

1x4 | 2x2 | 1x2+2x1 and 4x1

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.

DDR4-2133 | LPDDR3-1866 | DDR3L-1600

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

32 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

4 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).

34.1 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

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® Iris® Graphics 540

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

300 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.

950 MHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

32 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

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.

4096x2304@24Hz

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 (VGA)

N/A

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI

Miscellaneous

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

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 | Intel® AVX2

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

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

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

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

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 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

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel OS Guard

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

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

943

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

1953

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

733

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

1633

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1656

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

3213

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i3-4360T

1041 +10.4%

Core i7-4860HQ

995 +5.5%

Core i5-6260U

943

Xeon W-2102

894 -5.2%

Xeon E5-2670

847 -10.2%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i7-6567U

2359 +20.8%

Pentium Gold 8500

2111 +8.1%

Core i5-6260U

1953

Opteron 3380

1773 -9.2%

FX-6350

1626 -16.7%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i5-7260U

769 +4.9%

Xeon D-2123IT

745 +1.6%

Core i5-6260U

733

EPYC 7261

710 -3.1%

EPYC 7232P

687 -6.3%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

EPYC 7452

1894 +16%

Core i3-4350

1744 +6.8%

Core i5-6260U

1633

PRO A12-9800

1542 -5.6%

A8-6500

1461 -10.5%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon D-2141I

1713 +3.4%

Xeon E5-2630L v4

1691 +2.1%

Core i5-6260U

1656

Xeon E3-1230L v3

1624 -1.9%

Core i7-2960XM

1591 -3.9%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i3-4340

3545 +10.3%

Core i5-2500S

3383 +5.3%

Core i5-6260U

3213

Pentium G4600T

3055 -4.9%

Xeon X5492

2912 -9.4%