Intel Pentium Gold G6500 socket: LGA 1200
The Intel Pentium Gold G6500 uses the LGA 1200 socket. It brings two cores, four threads and UHD Graphics 630 to low cost DDR4 boards.
- Socket
- LGA 1200
- Launched
- April 2020
- Cores and threads
- 2 and 4
- Base power
- 58 W
- Codename
- Comet Lake
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- Intel Pentium Gold
- Clocks
- 4.1 GHz
Intel Pentium Gold G6500 specifications
| Cores | 2 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 4 |
| Core architecture | Skylake based cores on 14 nm |
| Clocks | 4.1 GHz fixed, no boost |
| Cache | 4 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 58 W |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4 up to 2666 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| PCI Express | 16 lanes from the CPU, PCIe 3.0 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 MHz base, up to 1.10 GHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| ECC memory | Not supported |
| Package | FCLGA1200 |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Pentium Gold G6500 needs a motherboard with a LGA 1200 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 500 series | Z590, H570, B560, H510, Q570, W580 | Works out of the box |
| 400 series: Z490, H470, Q470, W480 | Z490, H470, Q470, W480 | Works out of the box |
| 400 series: B460, H410 | B460, H410 | Works out of the box |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1200.
LGA 1200 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,200 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 37.5 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | April 2020 |
| Memory | DDR4 only |
| Cooler mounting holes | 75 × 75 mm |
What the Pentium Gold G6500 is
The Pentium Gold G6500 is a two core, four thread Comet Lake desktop processor. It launched in the second quarter of 2020 between the G6400 and the G6600, with a fixed 4.1 GHz clock. Hyper-Threading is enabled, so Windows sees four logical processors for smoother task switching.
The step from G6400 is small on paper, 100 MHz plus a graphics tier lift from UHD 610 to UHD 630. In practice the UHD 630 burst to 1.10 GHz helps video playback and multi monitor office work slightly. The 4 MB L3 and 58 W envelope match the rest of the Pentium Gold line.
This SKU fits homes, reception desks and classroom PCs where a Core i3 is hard to justify. Four threads keep a browser, a call app and an office suite moving at once. Single application speed trails the G6600 by a narrow margin that only shows in timed encodes.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The G6500 fits LGA 1200 on 400 and 500 series boards. Comet Lake support is native on both, so the chip posts with the shipping BIOS on most boards. B460, H410, B560 and H510 keep the build cheap and quiet.
Z490 and Z590 also accept the chip, but their overclocking tools do not apply to a locked Pentium. The value of those boards here is ports and power stages rather than tuning. Boards for LGA 1151 stay incompatible because of the moved key.
Fleet buyers often pick B560 or Q570 for USB and networking options. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide maps which boards still leave room for a later Core i5 drop in upgrade.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR4-2666 in two channels up to 128 GB is the rated configuration. Dual channel pairs are preferred, since the integrated GPU borrows system memory. Faster kits fall back to the rated speed on this SKU.
PCIe 3.0 x16 from the CPU serves graphics and NVMe. A single NVMe boot drive plus integrated graphics is the typical layout, with the x16 slot left open for a future low end card. Chipset lanes handle SATA, audio and extra USB.
Cooling uses the 75 mm LGA 1200 pattern. The boxed cooler covers the 58 W load in office cases with front intake. Tower coolers cut fan noise for living room PCs. Details sit in the CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide.
Upgrade paths
On LGA 1200 the Core i3-10300 adds two more cores with boost, and the Core i5-10500 adds six cores for virtual desktops and compilation. Both reuse board, memory and cooler. The Pentium to i3 move lifts both burst and sustained multitasking.
A full platform move to LGA 1700 with a Intel Core i3-12100F brings newer architecture and PCIe 4.0, at the cost of a new board. Many G6500 systems instead gain a second life from an SSD and 16 GB of RAM.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Pentium Gold G6500 use?
It uses LGA 1200 on 400 and 500 series boards.
How is the G6500 different from the G6400?
Clock rises to 4.1 GHz and graphics move to UHD 630. Cores, threads, cache and TDP match.
Does the G6500 support overclocking?
No. The multiplier is locked.
What memory does the G6500 take?
DDR4-2666 in two channels up to 128 GB.
Will the G6500 run on a 500 series board?
Yes. 500 series boards accept Comet Lake Pentiums natively.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .