CPU
GPU
Core i3-6100
Core i3-6300
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-6100 is positioned at rank 548 and the Core i3-6300 is on rank 603, so the Core i3-6100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6100
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-6100 | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-6100 | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+225%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-6100 and Core i3-6300
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.
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% |
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 | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
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 | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-6100 launched at $125 MSRP, while the Core i3-6300 debuted at $147. At current prices ($30 vs $99), the Core i3-6100 is $69 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6100 delivers 142.3 pts/$ vs 43.7 pts/$ for the Core i3-6300 — making the Core i3-6100 the 106% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-6100 | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $125-15% | $147 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-70% | $99 |
| Performance per Dollar | 142.3+226% | 43.7 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2015 |
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