Core i3-6100 vs Core i5-3350P

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 i5-3350P 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 i5-3350P: 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

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $64 less on MSRP ($125 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
✅Delivers 49.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.2 vs 22.8 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 69W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,270 vs 4,314).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-3350P

2012

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-6100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.8 vs 34.2 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
❌35.3% higher power demand at 69W vs 51W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100 better than Core i5-3350P?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-6100 is ahead with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3350P pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i5-3350P also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3350P is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i3-6100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-6100 comes in $64 cheaper on MSRP at $125 MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-3350P is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 49.7% better value on MSRP (34.2 vs 22.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-6100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6100 vs Core i5-3350P 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 i5-3350P

The Core i5-3350P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,314 points. Launch price was $292.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-6100 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3350P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3350P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3350P — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-6100 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-6100 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3350P uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100 scores 4,270 against the Core i5-3350P's 4,314 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-3350P. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-6100 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3350P.

Feature	Core i3-6100	Core i5-3350P
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+19%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,270	4,314+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3350P uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6100	Core i5-3350P
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1155
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 i5-3350P). The Core i3-6100 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-3350P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-6100	Core i5-3350P
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 i5-3350P came in at $189. On launch pricing ($125 vs $189), Core i3-6100 was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6100 delivers 34.2 pts/$ vs 22.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-3350P — making the Core i3-6100 the 39.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6100	Core i5-3350P
MSRP	$125-34%	$189
Performance per Dollar	34.2+50%	22.8
Release Date	2015	2012

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