Core i3-6100E vs Core i5-6267U

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 i3-6100E vs Core i5-6267U 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 i3-6100E vs Core i5-6267U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6100E

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,315 vs 3,360).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Core i5-6267U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-6267U

2015

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6267U better than Core i3-6100E?

Yes. Core i5-6267U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% 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 i5-6267U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% 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 i5-6267U 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 i5-6267U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-6267U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-6100E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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

Core i5-6267U 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 i3-6100E vs Core i5-6267U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-6267U

The Core i5-6267U 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,360 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6100E and Core i5-6267U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100E versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6267U — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-6267U. Both are built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-6100E scores 3,315 against the Core i5-6267U's 3,360 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-6267U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100E vs 4 MB on the Core i5-6267U.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Core i5-6267U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
Base Clock	—	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,315	3,360+1%

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Memory & Platform

Both support up to 2133 memory speed. The Core i3-6100E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-6100E) vs 12 (Core i5-6267U) — the Core i3-6100E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Core i5-6267U
Socket	—	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i3-6100E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6267U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6100E) and Iris Graphics 550 (Core i5-6267U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6267U targets Mobile.