Core i3-11100B vs Core i7-6850K

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 i3-11100B vs Core i7-6850K 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 i3-11100B vs Core i7-6850K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-11100B

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU), while Core i7-6850K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,357 vs 11,376).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).

Core i7-6850K

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-11100B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $617 MSRP, while Core i3-11100B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-11100B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-11100B better than Core i7-6850K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-11100B is ahead with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6850K pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-6850K also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6850K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i3-11100B is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-11100B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $617 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6850K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Core i3-11100B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-11100B vs Core i7-6850K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-11100B

The Core i3-11100B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: Up to 3200 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 11,357 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-6850K

The Core i7-6850K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,376 points. Launch price was $475.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-11100B packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-6850K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-6850K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-11100B versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-6850K — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-11100B (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-6850K is built on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-11100B scores 11,357 against the Core i7-6850K's 11,376 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-6850K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,402 vs 1,200, a 15.5% lead for the Core i3-11100B that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i3-11100B vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6850K.

Feature	Core i3-11100B	Core i7-6850K
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+10%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB	15 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	—	Broadwell-E (2016)
PassMark	11,357	11,376
Geekbench 6 Single	1,402+17%	1,200
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,500

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-11100B versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-6850K — the Core i3-11100B supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-11100B) vs 4 (Core i7-6850K). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-11100B) vs 40 (Core i7-6850K) — the Core i7-6850K offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i3-11100B) and X99 (Core i7-6850K).

Feature	Core i3-11100B	Core i7-6850K
Socket	—	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+33%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-6850K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i3-11100B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-11100B) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6850K). The Core i3-11100B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)), while the Core i7-6850K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-11100B targets Desktop, Core i7-6850K targets HEDT. Direct competitor: Core i3-11100B rivals Ryzen 3 5300G.

Feature	Core i3-11100B	Core i7-6850K
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	HEDT