Athlon X4 880K vs Core i3-6100T

Athlon X4 880K vs Core i3-6100T Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 880K

4 / 4

3,649

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-6100T

2 / 4

3,641

0.0%

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.

Athlon X4 880K vs Core i3-6100T 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.

Athlon X4 880K vs Core i3-6100T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon X4 880K

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $22 less on MSRP ($95 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 23.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.4 vs 31.1 PassMark/$ ($95 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6100T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-6100T.

Core i3-6100T

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Athlon X4 880K needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Athlon X4 880K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 880K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,641 vs 3,649).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.1 vs 38.4 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $95 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 880K better than Core i3-6100T?

Yes. Athlon X4 880K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon X4 880K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 880K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 880K is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 880K comes in $22 cheaper on MSRP at $95 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 23.4% better value on MSRP (38.4 vs 31.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon X4 880K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 880K vs Core i3-6100T Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 880K

The Athlon X4 880K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,649 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-6100T

The Core i3-6100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,641 points. Launch price was $117.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon X4 880K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6100T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 880K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Athlon X4 880K versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-6100T — a 27% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 880K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Athlon X4 880K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-6100T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 880K scores 3,649 against the Core i3-6100T's 3,641 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon X4 880K.

Feature	Athlon X4 880K	Core i3-6100T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+31%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+25%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,649	3,641
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,041
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,071

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 880K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-6100T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-2133 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 880K) and H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Core i3-6100T).

Feature	Athlon X4 880K	Core i3-6100T
Socket	FM2+	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 880K) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6100T). The Core i3-6100T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Athlon X4 880K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100T targets Budget.

Feature	Athlon X4 880K	Core i3-6100T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 880K was priced at $95, while the Core i3-6100T came in at $117. On launch pricing ($95 vs $117), Athlon X4 880K was $22 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 880K delivers 38.4 pts/$ vs 31.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-6100T — making the Athlon X4 880K the 21% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 880K	Core i3-6100T
MSRP	$95-19%	$117
Performance per Dollar	38.4+23%	31.1
Release Date	2015	2015

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