Core i3-6100 vs Core i3-6300

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 i3-6100 vs Core i3-6300 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 i3-6100 vs Core i3-6300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6100

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $22 less on MSRP ($125 MSRP vs $147 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.2 vs 29.5 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $147 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Core i3-6300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,270 vs 4,331).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i3-6300

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.5 vs 34.2 PassMark/$ ($147 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6300 better than Core i3-6100?

Yes. Core i3-6300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-6300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i3-6300 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-6300 comes in 17.6% more expensive on MSRP at $147 MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-6100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 15.9% better value on paper (34.2 vs 29.5 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i3-6300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB) 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 i3-6100 vs Core i3-6300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6100

The Core i3-6100 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,270 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i3-6300

The Core i3-6300 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 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,331 points. Launch price was $147.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6100 and Core i3-6300 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-6300 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-6300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). Both are built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-6100 scores 4,270 against the Core i3-6300's 4,331 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i3-6300. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-6100 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6300.

Feature	Core i3-6100	Core i3-6300
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,270	4,331+1%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-6100	Core i3-6300
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6100) / not specified (Core i3-6300). The Core i3-6100 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i3-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-6100	Core i3-6300
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6100 was priced at $125, while the Core i3-6300 came in at $147. On launch pricing ($125 vs $147), Core i3-6100 was $22 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6100 delivers 34.2 pts/$ vs 29.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-6300 — making the Core i3-6100 the 14.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6100	Core i3-6300
MSRP	$125-15%	$147
Performance per Dollar	34.2+16%	29.5
Release Date	2015	2015

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