Core i3-3210 vs Pentium P6100

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 i3-3210 vs Pentium P6100 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 i3-3210 vs Pentium P6100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3210

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while Pentium P6100 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium P6100.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,229 vs 2,245).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.1 vs 22.4 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
❌57.1% higher power demand at 55W vs 35W.

Pentium P6100

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $17 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.4 vs 19.1 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 55W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3210 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-3210.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium P6100 better than Core i3-3210?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3210 is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium P6100 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium P6100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium P6100 is the better buy right now. Pentium P6100 comes in $17 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-3210 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 17.8% better value on MSRP (22.4 vs 19.1 PassMark/$), 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 i3-3210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-3210 vs Pentium P6100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3210

The Core i3-3210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,229 points. Launch price was $120.

Pentium P6100

The Pentium P6100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,245 points. Launch price was $12.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3210 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium P6100's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-3210 versus 2 GHz on the Pentium P6100 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-3210 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-3210 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium P6100 uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3210 scores 2,229 against the Pentium P6100's 2,245 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium P6100. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total) on the Core i3-3210 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium P6100.

Feature	Core i3-3210	Pentium P6100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3072 kB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,229	2,245
Geekbench 6 Single	505	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,113	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3210 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium P6100 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3210	Pentium P6100
Socket	LGA1155	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-3210) / not specified (Pentium P6100). The Core i3-3210 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Pentium P6100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3210 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3210 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i3-3210	Pentium P6100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-3210 was priced at $117, while the Pentium P6100 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($117 vs $100), Pentium P6100 was $17 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3210 delivers 19.1 pts/$ vs 22.4 pts/$ for the Pentium P6100 — making the Pentium P6100 the 16.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-3210	Pentium P6100
MSRP	$117	$100-15%
Performance per Dollar	19.1	22.4+17%
Release Date	2013	2010

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