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Intel Core i5-6685R

Intel Core i5-6685R: A Review of an Outdated Yet Still Relevant Processor for Budget Systems

April 2025

Key Features: Skylake Architecture and Modest Power

The Intel Core i5-6685R processor, released in 2016, is based on the Skylake microarchitecture (6th generation) and is manufactured using a 14 nm process. It is a 4-core CPU without hyper-threading support (4 threads) with a base clock speed of 3.2 GHz and a turbo boost of up to 3.8 GHz. Its key feature is the integrated graphics Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 with 72 execution units (EUs) and 128 MB of eDRAM, which made it one of the best solutions for systems without a discrete graphics card at the time.

The processor has a TDP of 65 watts, ensuring moderate power consumption. Notable features include support for DDR4-2133 MHz, PCIe 3.0, and technologies such as Intel Quick Sync (video encoding acceleration) and Turbo Boost 2.0. However, in 2025, these specifications seem modest: modern CPUs built on 7nm and 5nm processes (such as Intel Alder Lake or AMD Ryzen 7000) offer more cores, higher clock speeds, and support for DDR5.

Compatible Motherboards: LGA 1151 Socket and Searching the Secondary Market

The i5-6685R uses the LGA 1151 (version v1) socket. Suitable chipsets include:

- H110, B150, H170, Z170 — for basic tasks;

- Z170 — for overclocking (although the CPU has a locked multiplier).

In 2025, new motherboards for LGA 1151 are no longer being produced. They should be sought on the secondary market or among remaining stock with vendors. Example models:

- ASUS Z170-A (~$80-120 for used);

- MSI B150M Mortar (~$50-70).

Important: Chipsets from the 200-series (such as B250) are also compatible but require a BIOS update. Due to the age of the boards, there may be issues finding drivers for Windows 11/12.

Supported Memory: Only DDR4, but with Caveats

The processor works with DDR4-2133 MHz memory in dual-channel mode. The maximum supported capacity is 64 GB (depending on the motherboard). In 2025, DDR4 is outpaced by DDR5 in speed, but it remains accessible. For comfortable operation, it is recommended to have:

- 16 GB (2x8 GB) — for gaming and multitasking;

- 32 GB — for video editing or virtualization.

Examples of kits:

- Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4-2133 (~$45-60 for new modules);

- Important: Memory with a frequency higher than 2133 MHz will operate at a reduced speed.

Power Supply: 400–500 Watts is Sufficient with Headroom

With a TDP of 65 watts and no discrete graphics card, a power supply of 300–350 watts (e.g., Corsair CX450) is sufficient. However, for future upgrades (adding a GPU like the NVIDIA GTX 1660), it is better to choose a model rated 500 watts with an 80+ Bronze certification or higher:

- EVGA 500 BQ (~$55);

- be quiet! System Power 10 (~$60).

Tip: Avoid cheap noname power supplies — they may operate unstably under load.

Pros and Cons: Who Is It Still Relevant For?

Pros:

1. Powerful integrated graphics for its time, Iris Pro 580.

2. Low power consumption.

3. Support for modern interfaces (USB 3.0, PCIe 3.0).

Cons:

1. Only 4 threads — weak in multi-threaded tasks.

2. No support for DDR5 and PCIe 4.0/5.0.

3. Limited upgrade options: LGA 1151 socket is outdated.

Usage Scenarios: From Office to Light Gaming

1. Office Tasks and Web Browsing: The CPU can handle Microsoft Office, browsers, and video conferencing.

2. Multimedia: Supports 4K video playback and streaming services (Netflix, YouTube).

3. Light Gaming: Iris Pro 580 can run CS:GO at medium settings (60+ FPS), Dota 2 (45-60 FPS), Minecraft.

4. Home Server: Energy efficiency makes it suitable for a NAS or media center.

Comparison with Competitors: The Generational Battle

In 2025, the i5-6685R competes with budget CPUs from previous years:

- AMD Ryzen 5 2400G (4 cores/8 threads, Vega 11): Better multi-thread performance but weaker in GPU.

- Intel Core i3-12100 (4 cores/8 threads, UHD 730): Higher IPC, DDR4-3200 support, but pricier (~$130).

For new builds, it is more advantageous to choose modern processors (e.g., Ryzen 5 7600), but the i5-6685R is suitable for upgrading older systems.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Look for models with USB 3.1 and M.2 (e.g., ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming) for NVMe SSDs.

2. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quieter operation, opt for a tower cooler (Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 ~$25).

3. Storage: Use SSDs (at least SATA) to speed up the system.

4. Upgrade: Don’t expect to replace the CPU — the socket is outdated.

Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the i5-6685R in 2025?

This processor is worth considering for:

- Owners of old PCs on LGA 1151 looking to upgrade without changing the motherboard.

- Enthusiasts of budget builds (e.g., HTPC or office PC).

- Users who need integrated graphics for light gaming.

The price of new units (if found) is $100-150. However, it is more commonly sold used for $50-80. In a limited budget and without demanding AAA game requirements, the i5-6685R remains a workable option, but for a future-proof system, it is better to choose modern platforms.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

April 2016

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.

i5-6685R

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

3.20 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.

3.80 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.80 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.

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

65 W

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.

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.

DDR4-1866/2133 | DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V

Max Memory Size

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

64 GB

Memory Channels

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

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).

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® Pro Graphics 580

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.

1.15 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 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.

6 MB

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 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 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 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 5

Single Core Score

971

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

3199

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Pentium Gold G6600

1019 +4.9%

Ryzen 5 2600X

999 +2.9%

Core i5-6685R

971

EPYC 7542

952 -2%

Core i7-9750H

933 -3.9%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon E3-1245 v3

3447 +7.8%

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

3316 +3.7%

Core i5-6685R

3199

Core i5-6585R

3076 -3.8%

Xeon E5-2630 v2

2941 -8.1%