Core i3-4160T vs Core i5-6198DU

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 i3-4160T vs Core i5-6198DU 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 i3-4160T vs Core i5-6198DU: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4160T

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-6198DU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,087 vs 3,109).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i5-6198DU mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-6198DU

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4160T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4160T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4160T better than Core i5-6198DU?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4160T is ahead with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6198DU 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, Core i5-6198DU is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4160T is the better buy right now. Core i3-4160T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-6198DU is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6198DU makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4160T vs Core i5-6198DU Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4160T

The Core i3-4160T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,087 points. Launch price was $142.

Core i5-6198DU

The Core i5-6198DU is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,109 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4160T and Core i5-6198DU share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-4160T versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6198DU — a 10.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-4160T (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-4160T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6198DU uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4160T scores 3,087 against the Core i5-6198DU's 3,109 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-6198DU. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 900 vs 946, a 5% lead for the Core i5-6198DU that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4160T vs 3 MB on the Core i5-6198DU.

Feature	Core i3-4160T	Core i5-6198DU
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+11%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+35%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,087	3,109
Geekbench 6 Single	900	946+5%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4160T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6198DU uses BGA (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4160T versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6198DU — the Core i5-6198DU 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 i3-4160T) vs 12 (Core i5-6198DU) — the Core i3-4160T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4160T) and Integrated (Core i5-6198DU).

Feature	Core i3-4160T	Core i5-6198DU
Socket	LGA1150	BGA
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	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4160T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6198DU). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4160T) and HD Graphics 510 (Core i5-6198DU) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4160T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i5-6198DU targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4160T rivals A10-7800; Core i5-6198DU rivals A9-9410.

Feature	Core i3-4160T	Core i5-6198DU
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	HD Graphics 510
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Entry Level Laptop