Core i3-3220 vs Core i3-6006U

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 i3-3220 vs Core i3-6006U 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 i3-3220 vs Core i3-6006U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3220

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-6006U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (503 vs 630).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i3-6006U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-6006U

2016

Why buy it

✅+25.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,273 vs 2,276).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-3220.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6006U better than Core i3-3220?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-6006U is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3220 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3220 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6006U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-6006U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-3220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i3-6006U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-3220 vs Core i3-6006U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3220

The Core i3-3220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (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: 2,276 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i3-6006U

The Core i3-6006U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 November 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 2,273 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3220 and Core i3-6006U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-3220 versus 2 GHz on the Core i3-6006U — a 49.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-3220 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-3220 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-6006U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3220 scores 2,276 against the Core i3-6006U's 2,273 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-3220. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 503 vs 630, a 22.4% lead for the Core i3-6006U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3220 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6006U.

Feature	Core i3-3220	Core i3-6006U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+65%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+65%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,276	2,273
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,200
Geekbench 6 Single	503	630+25%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,313

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3220 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-6006U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3220 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6006U — the Core i3-6006U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3220) vs 12 (Core i3-6006U) — the Core i3-3220 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B75,Z75,Z77,H77,Q75,Q77,H61,H67,P67,Z68 (Core i3-3220) and Skylake-U (Core i3-6006U).

Feature	Core i3-3220	Core i3-6006U
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3220) vs Yes (Core i3-6006U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2500 (Core i3-3220) and HD Graphics 520 (Core i3-6006U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3220 targets Budget Desktop, Core i3-6006U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-3220 rivals FX-4300.