CPU
GPU
Core i3-6100E
Athlon X4 840
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 i3-6100E is positioned at rank 902 and the Athlon X4 840 is on rank 563, so the Athlon X4 840 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6100E
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 840
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-6100E | Athlon X4 840 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Kaveri (2014−2015) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-6100E | Athlon X4 840 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+101%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($25) |
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 i3-6100E and Athlon X4 840
Core i3-6100E
The Core i3-6100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 3,315 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon X4 840
The Athlon X4 840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,331 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-6100E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon X4 840 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 840 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100E versus 3.8 GHz on the Athlon X4 840 — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 840. The Core i3-6100E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Athlon X4 840 uses Kaveri (2014−2015) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100E scores 3,315 against the Athlon X4 840's 3,331 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon X4 840.
| Feature | Core i3-6100E | Athlon X4 840 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.8 GHz+41% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 4 MB+700% |
| Process | 14 nm-50% | 28 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Kaveri (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 3,315 | 3,331 |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the Core i3-6100E versus DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 840 — the Core i3-6100E supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 100 Series,Intel C230 Series (Core i3-6100E) and AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 840).
| Feature | Core i3-6100E | Athlon X4 840 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | — | FM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 2133+71000% | DDR3-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 | 64 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i3-6100E) / not specified (Athlon X4 840). The Core i3-6100E includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Athlon X4 840 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i3-6100E | Athlon X4 840 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 530 | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-6100E launched at $225 MSRP, while the Athlon X4 840 debuted at $102. At current prices ($50 vs $25), the Athlon X4 840 is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6100E delivers 66.3 pts/$ vs 133.2 pts/$ for the Athlon X4 840 — making the Athlon X4 840 the 67.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-6100E | Athlon X4 840 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $102-55% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $25-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 66.3 | 133.2+101% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2014 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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