Core i3-5020U 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 i3-5020U 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 i3-5020U 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 i3-5020U

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 5500, while Pentium P6100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,232 vs 2,245).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Pentium P6100

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while Core i3-5020U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5020U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium P6100 better than Core i3-5020U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-5020U is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium P6100 pulls ahead with 0.6% 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 0.6% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $100 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-5020U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (22.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-5020U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-5020U vs Pentium P6100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-5020U

The Core i3-5020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,232 points. Launch price was $281.

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 i3-5020U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium P6100's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U versus 2 GHz on the Pentium P6100 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-5020U (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-5020U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium P6100 uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5020U scores 2,232 against the Pentium P6100's 2,245 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium P6100. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-5020U	Pentium P6100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+10%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+10%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,232	2,245
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,200	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5020U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium P6100 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5020U	Pentium P6100
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U) / not specified (Pentium P6100). The Core i3-5020U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Pentium P6100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop.