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Intel Pentium Gold 6405U

Intel Pentium Gold 6405U: Budget Processor for Everyday Tasks in 2025

Overview of Architecture, Performance, and Use Cases

Introduction

In 2025, budget laptops remain popular among students, office workers, and users who do not require extreme performance. One of these solutions is the Intel Pentium Gold 6405U processor, introduced back in 2020. Despite its age, it continues to be found in new entry-level devices. Let's explore what this chip is capable of and who it is suitable for.

Architecture and Technology Process

Comet Lake Features

The Pentium Gold 6405U is built on the Comet Lake architecture and a 14nm process that Intel has utilized since 2015. This generation was the last before the transition to 10nm technology (Ice Lake and Tiger Lake). Key specifications include:

- 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

- Base frequency: 2.4 GHz, no turbo mode.

- L3 cache: 4 MB.

- Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (10th generation) with 24 execution units and a frequency of up to 900 MHz.

Despite the outdated technology process, the chip is optimized for low power consumption. UHD graphics can handle 4K video decoding but are not suitable for gaming or 3D modeling.

Power Consumption and TDP

The processor has a TDP of 15W, which is typical for ultrabooks and thin laptops. This allows:

- Use of passive or compact active cooling.

- Achieving low noise levels.

- Installation of the chip in devices with a battery capacity starting from 40 Wh.

However, under sustained loads (for example, video rendering), throttling may occur due to overheating in budget cases with poor cooling systems.

Performance in Real Tasks

Office Work and Multitasking

- Microsoft Office, Google Docs: The processor works without delays even with several browser tabs and messaging apps open.

- Video Calls: Zoom/Teams consume up to 70% of resources but do not cause freezes.

- Multimedia: Watching 4K video (YouTube, Netflix) does not stress the system thanks to hardware decoding.

Gaming

Intel UHD Graphics only supports older, less demanding games:

- CS:GO: 720p, low settings — 25-35 FPS.

- Minecraft: 30-40 FPS without shaders.

- Indie Projects (Stardew Valley, Terraria) — stable 60 FPS.

The processor is unsuitable for modern AAA games (Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring).

Use Cases

The Pentium Gold 6405U is suitable for:

1. Studying: Working with texts, presentations, online courses.

2. Office work: Accounting software, 1C, email clients.

3. Everyday tasks: Internet browsing, streaming, social media communication.

4. Mobile devices: Compact laptops with long battery life (8-10 hours).

Not recommended for:

- Video editing (even at 1080p).

- Programming with heavy IDEs (Android Studio, Unity).

- Gaming beyond minimum requirements.

Battery Life and Power Saving Technologies

Under load, the processor consumes up to 12-15W, while idle consumption is 3-5W. Battery life depends on capacity:

- Laptop with a 42 Wh battery: 7-9 hours with moderate use (browsing, office tasks).

- In power-saving mode: up to 10-12 hours.

Intel Technologies:

- Speed Shift — fast switching between frequencies for energy savings.

- C-States — disabling unused cores.

- Dynamic Tuning — adaptation to load in real-time.

Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 3 3250U (14nm, 2 cores/4 threads)

- Advantages: Vega 3 graphics are 15% faster.

- Disadvantages: Higher power consumption (TDP 15W, but worse battery optimization).

Apple M1 (5nm, 4 cores/4 threads)

- M1 is 3-4 times faster in multi-threaded tasks, and graphics outperform UHD by 5 times.

- Laptops with M1 are more expensive ($700+ compared to $300-500 for Pentium).

Intel Core i3-1115G4 (10nm, 2 cores/4 threads)

- More modern architecture, higher IPC (15-20% performance increase in single-threaded tasks).

- Laptop prices start from $450.

Conclusion: The Pentium Gold 6405U is a choice for the most budget-friendly devices. Competitors offer better performance for a slightly higher price.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Low cost of laptops ($300-500).

- Energy efficiency.

- Sufficient for basic tasks.

Weaknesses:

- Outdated 14nm technology process.

- No turbo mode.

- Weak graphics.

Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop

1. Type of Device: Ultrabook or budget laptop (for example, Lenovo IdeaPad 3, Acer Aspire 5).

2. Minimum Specifications:

- 8 GB RAM (mandatory!).

- 256 GB SSD (not HDD!).

- A screen resolution of 1920×1080.

3. Additional Options:

- IPS matrix for better viewing angles.

- Weight up to 1.5 kg for portability.

Avoid:

- Configurations with 4 GB RAM — this will lead to slowdowns.

- Laptops without SSDs.

- Devices with a 1366×768 screen.

Final Conclusion

Intel Pentium Gold 6405U in 2025 is a processor for those seeking the cheapest laptop for simple tasks. It is suitable for:

- Students for note-taking and online classes.

- Retirees who need a device for communication and reading news.

- Offices procuring equipment for employees.

Key benefits: low price, long battery life, sufficient performance for basic use. If your budget allows adding $100-150, it is better to choose a laptop with a Core i3 or Ryzen 3 — they will last longer and not disappoint in multitasking.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

October 2019

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.

6405U

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).

Total Threads

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

Basic Frequency

2.40 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.

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.

FCBGA1528

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.

2.0

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.

DDR4-2400 | LPDDR3-2133

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

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).

37.5 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® UHD Graphics for 10th Gen Intel® Processors

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

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

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.

2 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 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 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