Core 2 Duo P8600 vs Core i3-6100U

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.

Core 2 Duo P8600 vs Core i3-6100U 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.

Core 2 Duo P8600 vs Core i3-6100U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 2 Duo P8600

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 3W instead of 512W, a 509W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-6100U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,618 vs 2,631).

Core i3-6100U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌16966.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100U better than Core 2 Duo P8600?

Yes. Core i3-6100U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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, Core i3-6100U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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, Core i3-6100U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6100U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-6100U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-6100U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo P8600 vs Core i3-6100U Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo P8600

The Core 2 Duo P8600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,618 points. Launch price was $209.

Core i3-6100U

The Core i3-6100U 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,631 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-6100U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8600 versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P8600 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-6100U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8600 scores 2,618 against the Core i3-6100U's 2,631 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-6100U. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8600 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6100U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8600	Core i3-6100U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+4%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+4%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	3 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,618	2,631

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-6100U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8600	Core i3-6100U
Socket	PGA478	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—