CPU
GPU
Core i3-6100
Pentium Gold G6600
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. The Core i3-6100 is positioned at rank #548 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6100
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-6100 | Pentium Gold G6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-6100 | Pentium Gold G6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Pentium Gold G6600
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.
Pentium Gold G6600
The Pentium Gold G6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,223 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-6100 and Pentium Gold G6600 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100 versus 4.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6600 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6600 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i3-6100 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6600 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100 scores 4,270 against the Pentium Gold G6600's 4,223 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-6100. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-6100 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6600.
| Feature | Core i3-6100 | Pentium Gold G6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.2 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.2 GHz+14% |
| 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) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 4,270+1% | 4,223 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-6100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6600 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-6100 | Pentium Gold G6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1200 |
| 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 (Pentium Gold G6600). The Core i3-6100 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Pentium Gold G6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-6100 | Pentium Gold G6600 |
|---|---|---|
| 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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