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 i3-4170 vs Core i3-6100T 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 i3-4170 vs Core i3-6100T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4170

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,897 vs 2,071).
❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.

Core i3-6100T

2015

Why buy it

✅+9.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4170 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100T better than Core i3-4170?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4170 is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100T pulls ahead with 9.2% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100T is the stronger fit. You are getting 9.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6100T is the better buy right now. Core i3-6100T comes in in basically the same MSRP band at $117 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 9.2% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i3-4170 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.4% better value on MSRP (31.1 vs 31.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-6100T 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 i3-4170 vs Core i3-6100T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4170

The Core i3-4170 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,626 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i3-6100T

The Core i3-6100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,641 points. Launch price was $117.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4170 and Core i3-6100T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-4170 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-6100T — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-4170 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-4170 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-6100T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4170 scores 3,626 against the Core i3-6100T's 3,641 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-6100T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,140 vs 1,041, a 9.1% lead for the Core i3-4170 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,897 vs 2,071 (8.8% advantage for the Core i3-6100T). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4170 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6100T.

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i3-6100T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+16%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+16%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,626	3,641
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,140+10%	1,041
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,897	2,071+9%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4170 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-6100T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4170 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6100T — the Core i3-6100T supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-6100T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: LGA1150 (Core i3-4170) and H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Core i3-6100T).

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i3-6100T
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4170) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6100T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100T targets Budget.

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i3-6100T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Budget

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4170 was priced at $117, while the Core i3-6100T came in at $117. On launch pricing ($117 vs $117), Core i3-6100T was $0 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4170 delivers 31.0 pts/$ vs 31.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-6100T — making the Core i3-6100T the 0.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i3-6100T
MSRP	$117	$117
Performance per Dollar	31.0	31.1
Release Date	2014	2015

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