Intel Core i5 6500: A Great Skylake CPU For $200, Works Well On Linux

On average during testing, the Core i5 6500 system was pulling merely 41 Watts AC as measured via the WattsUp USB-based power meter interfacing with the Phoronix Test Suite, which is very low considering the 65 Watt TDP of the processor. The Core i5 6500K system meanwhile averaged out to 65 Watts with that CPU having a 91 Watt TDP. The Core i7 4790K system meanwhile averaged out to a 59 Watt system power draw.

In looking at the Phoronix Test Suite's generated performance-per-Watt data on a few of the results, the Core i5 6500 does offer better power efficiency than the Core i5 6600K and obviously this Skylake CPU is a big jump ahead of Haswell.