Core i3-11100B vs Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Core i3-11100B

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2021
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
·······

Core i3-11100B vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i3-11100B vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ryzen 5 3600: 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

  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU), while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (11,357 vs 17,685).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +22.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-11100B.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i3-11100B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-11100B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Core i3-11100B?
Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 22.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 55.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.9% 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 55.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-11100B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-11100B vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

Processing Power

The Core i3-11100B packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-11100B versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-11100B (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-11100B scores 11,357 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 43.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,402 vs 1,295, a 7.9% lead for the Core i3-11100B that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i3-11100B vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i3-11100BRyzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+5%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB
32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
10 nm SuperFin
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
11,357
17,685+56%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,402+8%
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-11100B) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i3-11100B) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

FeatureCore i3-11100BRyzen 5 3600
Socket
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 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 Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i3-11100B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-11100B targets Desktop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i3-11100B rivals Ryzen 3 5300G; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureCore i3-11100BRyzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Yes
Target Use
Desktop
Gaming/Budget Workstation