Celeron N5100 vs Core i3-6100E

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.

Celeron N5100 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.

Celeron N5100 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.

Celeron N5100

2021

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 35W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,305 vs 3,315).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6100E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-6100E

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Celeron N5100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Celeron N5100 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌483.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N5100 better than Core i3-6100E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron N5100 is ahead with a 1.1% 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 0.3% better PassMark. Celeron N5100 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron N5100 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N5100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-6100E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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

Celeron N5100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2015) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N5100 vs Core i3-6100E Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N5100

The Celeron N5100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,305 points. Launch price was $69.

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.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N5100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6100E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron N5100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N5100 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100E — a 3.6% clock advantage for the Celeron N5100. The Celeron N5100 uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-6100E uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N5100 scores 3,305 against the Core i3-6100E's 3,315 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-6100E. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron N5100 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6100E.

Feature	Celeron N5100	Core i3-6100E
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+4%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	1.5 MB (total)+200%	512 kB
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Jasper Lake (2021)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,305	3,315

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N5100) / true (Core i3-6100E). The Core i3-6100E includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Celeron N5100 requires a dedicated GPU.