The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor was released in 2015 as part of Intel’s Skylake lineup. Although it’s been several years since its release, the processor remains a popular choice for budget-friendly laptops and desktops. But is the Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U still a good choice for users today? In this article, we’ll delve into the processor’s features, performance, and compatibility to help you decide.
Processor Overview
The Intel Core i3 6006U is a dual-core processor with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz. It features a 3MB cache and supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. The processor also comes with Intel’s HD Graphics 520 integrated graphics processing unit (GPU). The HD Graphics 520 is a significant improvement over its predecessor, the HD Graphics 4400, offering better performance and power efficiency.
Architecture and Manufacturing Process
The Intel Core i3 6006U is built on Intel’s 14nm manufacturing process, which provides a good balance between performance and power consumption. The processor’s architecture is based on Intel’s Skylake microarchitecture, which offers several improvements over the previous Broadwell microarchitecture. These improvements include better instruction-level parallelism, improved branch prediction, and enhanced power management.
Power Consumption and Thermal Design Power
The Intel Core i3 6006U has a thermal design power (TDP) of 15W, which is relatively low compared to other processors in its class. This makes it an excellent choice for laptops and other mobile devices where power consumption is a concern. The processor’s low TDP also means it generates less heat, making it suitable for use in compact systems.
Performance
The Intel Core i3 6006U offers excellent performance for its class. It’s capable of handling everyday tasks such as web browsing, office work, and media consumption with ease. The processor also performs well in more demanding tasks such as video editing and 3D modeling, although it may not be as fast as more powerful processors.
Benchmark Results
To give you a better idea of the Intel Core i3 6006U’s performance, let’s take a look at some benchmark results:
| Benchmark | Score |
| — | — |
| Cinebench R15 (Single-Core) | 134 |
| Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core) | 264 |
| Geekbench 4 (Single-Core) | 3,444 |
| Geekbench 4 (Multi-Core) | 6,444 |
As you can see, the Intel Core i3 6006U performs well in both single-core and multi-core benchmarks. Its scores are comparable to those of more powerful processors, making it an excellent choice for users who need a balance between performance and power consumption.
Gaming Performance
The Intel Core i3 6006U’s integrated HD Graphics 520 GPU offers decent gaming performance for casual gamers. It’s capable of handling games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Overwatch at medium to high settings. However, it may struggle with more demanding games such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and The Witcher 3.
Compatibility and Upgrade Options
The Intel Core i3 6006U is compatible with a wide range of motherboards, including those with the B150, H110, and Z170 chipsets. It’s also compatible with a variety of operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Linux.
Upgrade Options
If you’re looking to upgrade your Intel Core i3 6006U system, there are several options available. You can upgrade your RAM to 32GB or more, depending on your motherboard’s specifications. You can also upgrade your storage to a faster SSD or add a dedicated graphics card for improved gaming performance.
Comparison with Other Processors
The Intel Core i3 6006U is often compared to other processors in its class, such as the AMD A10-8700P and the Intel Core i5-6200U. Here’s a brief comparison of these processors:
| Processor | Clock Speed | Cache | TDP |
| — | — | — | — |
| Intel Core i3 6006U | 2.0 GHz | 3MB | 15W |
| AMD A10-8700P | 1.8 GHz | 2MB | 15W |
| Intel Core i5-6200U | 2.3 GHz | 3MB | 15W |
As you can see, the Intel Core i3 6006U offers a good balance between performance and power consumption. It’s a great choice for users who need a reliable processor for everyday tasks and casual gaming.
Conclusion
The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U is still a good choice for users today. It offers excellent performance, low power consumption, and a range of upgrade options. While it may not be as fast as more powerful processors, it’s a great choice for users who need a balance between performance and power consumption. If you’re looking for a reliable processor for everyday tasks and casual gaming, the Intel Core i3 6006U is definitely worth considering.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the Intel Core i3 6006U is a solid choice for users who need a reliable processor for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Its excellent performance, low power consumption, and range of upgrade options make it a great value for its price. If you’re looking for a processor that offers a good balance between performance and power consumption, the Intel Core i3 6006U is definitely worth considering.
Recommendation
We recommend the Intel Core i3 6006U to users who:
- Need a reliable processor for everyday tasks such as web browsing, office work, and media consumption
- Want a processor that offers low power consumption and generates less heat
- Need a processor that’s compatible with a wide range of motherboards and operating systems
- Want a processor that offers a range of upgrade options, including RAM and storage upgrades
Overall, the Intel Core i3 6006U is a great choice for users who need a reliable processor for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Its excellent performance, low power consumption, and range of upgrade options make it a great value for its price.
What is the Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor?
The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor is a mid-range processor from Intel’s 6th generation Core series, released in 2015. It is a dual-core processor with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 2.3 GHz. This processor is designed for mainstream laptops and desktops, offering a balance between performance and power efficiency.
The Intel Core i3 6006U processor is based on the Skylake architecture, which provides improved performance and power management compared to its predecessors. It also supports up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory and has a thermal design power (TDP) of 15 watts, making it suitable for thin and light laptops.
Is the Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U still a good choice for general use?
The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor is still a good choice for general use, such as web browsing, office work, and streaming media. It provides sufficient performance for these tasks and is also energy-efficient, which helps to prolong battery life in laptops. Additionally, the processor’s integrated Intel HD Graphics 520 provides decent graphics performance for casual gaming and video playback.
However, for more demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, and gaming, the Intel Core i3 6006U may not be the best choice. Its dual-core design and relatively low clock speed may lead to performance bottlenecks, and the integrated graphics may not be able to handle demanding graphics workloads.
How does the Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U compare to newer processors?
The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor is several generations old, and newer processors from Intel and other manufacturers offer improved performance and features. For example, Intel’s 11th and 12th generation Core processors offer higher clock speeds, more cores, and improved integrated graphics. AMD’s Ryzen processors also offer competitive performance and features at a similar price point.
However, the Intel Core i3 6006U is still a viable option for those on a budget or looking for a low-power processor for a specific use case. It is also worth noting that the processor’s age means that it is no longer supported by Intel with security updates and bug fixes, which may be a concern for some users.
Can the Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U handle gaming?
The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor’s integrated Intel HD Graphics 520 can handle casual gaming and esports titles at low to medium settings. However, for more demanding games, the processor’s graphics capabilities may not be sufficient, and a dedicated graphics card may be required.
For gaming, it’s recommended to pair the Intel Core i3 6006U with a dedicated graphics card, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M or the AMD Radeon R7 M360. This will provide a significant boost in graphics performance and allow for smoother gameplay at higher settings.
Is the Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U suitable for video editing and content creation?
The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor is not the best choice for video editing and content creation. Its dual-core design and relatively low clock speed may lead to performance bottlenecks, especially when working with 4K video or multiple video streams.
For video editing and content creation, it’s recommended to use a processor with more cores and higher clock speeds, such as Intel’s Core i5 or i7 processors or AMD’s Ryzen 5 or 7 processors. These processors offer improved performance and features, such as hyper-threading and higher turbo frequencies, which can significantly improve video editing and content creation workflows.
Can the Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U be overclocked?
The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor is not designed to be overclocked, and its multiplier is locked, which means that the clock speed cannot be increased. Additionally, the processor’s TDP is relatively low, which means that it is not designed to handle high power consumption and heat generation.
However, some motherboard manufacturers may offer overclocking features for the Intel Core i3 6006U, such as BCLK overclocking or voltage adjustments. These features can provide a small boost in performance, but they may also increase power consumption and heat generation, which can affect the processor’s lifespan.
Is the Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U still supported by Intel?
The Intel Core i3 6th Gen 6006U processor is no longer supported by Intel with security updates and bug fixes. Intel typically supports its processors for a period of 5-7 years, after which they are considered end-of-life and no longer receive updates.
However, the processor is still widely supported by motherboard manufacturers and operating system vendors, and it can still be used with the latest operating systems and software applications. Additionally, many users and enthusiasts continue to support and maintain the processor through community-driven projects and forums.