A8-9600 vs Core i3-6100E

A8-9600 vs Core i3-6100E Performance Spectrum

A8-9600

4 / 4

3,295

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-6100E

2 / 4

3,315

+0.6%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A8-9600 vs Core i3-6100E FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A8-9600 vs Core i3-6100E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A8-9600

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i3-6100E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,295 vs 3,315).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i3-6100E

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-9600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while A8-9600 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-9600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100E better than A8-9600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-9600 is ahead with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100E pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-6100E is the better buy right now. Core i3-6100E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $225 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that A8-9600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A8-9600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-9600 vs Core i3-6100E Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A8-9600

The A8-9600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,295 points. Launch price was $78.

Core i3-6100E

The Core i3-6100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 3,315 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The A8-9600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6100E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-9600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the A8-9600 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100E — a 23% clock advantage for the A8-9600. The A8-9600 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-6100E uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-9600 scores 3,295 against the Core i3-6100E's 3,315 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-6100E. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-9600 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6100E.

Feature	A8-9600	Core i3-6100E
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+26%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,295	3,315
Geekbench 6 Single	607	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,415	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A8-9600 versus 2133 on the Core i3-6100E — the A8-9600 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-6100E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A8-9600) vs 16 (Core i3-6100E) — the Core i3-6100E offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A8-9600) and Intel 100 Series,Intel C230 Series (Core i3-6100E).

Feature	A8-9600	Core i3-6100E
Socket	AM4	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	2133
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-9600) vs true (Core i3-6100E). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 Series (A8-9600) and Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6100E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-9600 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-9600 rivals Pentium G4560.