Core 3 100HL vs Core i5-11600

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 3 100HL vs Core i5-11600 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 3 100HL vs Core i5-11600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 3 100HL

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,586 vs 17,912).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 57.5 vs 84.1 PassMark/$ ($306 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11600.

Core i5-11600

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $93 less on MSRP ($213 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅Delivers 46.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.1 vs 57.5 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Core 3 100HL needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core 3 100HL moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11600 better than Core 3 100HL?

Yes. Core i5-11600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-11600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% 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 i5-11600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-11600 comes in $93 cheaper on MSRP at $213 MSRP versus $306 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 46.3% better value on MSRP (84.1 vs 57.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core 3 100HL can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core 3 100HL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 100HL vs Core i5-11600 Technical Specifications

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

Core 3 100HL

The Core 3 100HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,586 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-11600

The Core i5-11600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,912 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 100HL packs 8 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-11600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core 3 100HL has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core 3 100HL versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-11600 — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-11600 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 3 100HL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-11600 uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 100HL scores 17,586 against the Core i5-11600's 17,912 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-11600. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 3 100HL	Core i5-11600
Cores / Threads	8 / 12+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.8 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-PS (2024)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	17,586	17,912+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	10,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,130
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 100HL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-11600 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 100HL	Core i5-11600
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 3 100HL) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11600). The Core i5-11600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core 3 100HL requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11600 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core 3 100HL	Core i5-11600
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 750
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 3 100HL was priced at $306, while the Core i5-11600 came in at $213. On launch pricing ($306 vs $213), Core i5-11600 was $93 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 100HL delivers 57.5 pts/$ vs 84.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-11600 — making the Core i5-11600 the 37.6% better value option.

Feature	Core 3 100HL	Core i5-11600
MSRP	$306	$213-30%
Performance per Dollar	57.5	84.1+46%
Release Date	2024	2021

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