The Intel Core i5-6300HQ is a quad-core processor based on the Skylake architecture, that has been launched in September 2015. In addition to four CPU cores (no Hyper-Threading support) clocked at 2.3 - 3.2 GHz (4 cores: max. 2.8 GHz, 2 cores: max. 3.0 GHz), the chip also integrates an HD Graphics 530 GPU and a dual-channel DDR4-2133/DDR3L-1600 memory controller. The CPU is manufactured using a 14 nm process with FinFET transistors.
Architecture
Skylake replaces both Haswell and Broadwell and brings the same microarchitecture in every TDP class from 4.5 to 45 W. The extensive improvements of the Skylake design include increased out-of-order buffers, optimized prefetching and branch prediction as well as additional performance gains through Hyper-Threading (if supported). Overall, however, performance per clock has been increased by only 5 to 10 percent (compared to Haswell) respectively under 5 percent (compard to Broadwell), which is quite modest for a new architecture ("Tock").
Performance
With up to 4 threads under load, the Core i5-6300HQ performs roughly on par with the Core i7-4712HQ (Haswell). However, the Core i7 benefit from Hyper-Threading (up to 25 - 30 percent performance boost) in extensively parallelized software, whereas the Core i5 chips don't support this feature.
Nevertheless, even the most demanding applications and excessive multitasking are handled easily.
Graphics
The integrated graphics unit called HD Graphics 530 represents the "GT2" version of the Skylake GPU (Intel Gen. 9). The 24 Execution Units, also called EUs, are clocked at 350 - 950 MHz and offer a performance about 20 percent above the old HD Graphics 4600. Games of 2015 can thus be played smoothly in low or medium settings. For more information about performance and features, check our page for the HD Graphics 530.
Power Consumption
Specified at a TDP of 45 W (including CPU, GPU and memory controller), the CPU is best suited for bigger notebooks 15-inches in size and above. Optionally, the TDP can be lowered to 35 watts (cTDP down), reducing both heat dissipation and performance.
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card