Core i3-6100E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600

Core i3-6100E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-6100E

2 / 4

3,315

+1.2%

3,276

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i3-6100E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600 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 Ryzen Embedded R1600: 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

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Ryzen Embedded R1600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Ryzen Embedded R1600 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌40% higher power demand at 35W vs 25W.

Ryzen Embedded R1600

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 35W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,276 vs 3,315).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6100E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Embedded R1600 better than Core i3-6100E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Embedded R1600 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100E pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Ryzen Embedded R1600 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Ryzen Embedded R1600 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen Embedded R1600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-6100E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Ryzen Embedded R1600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2015) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6100E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600 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.

Ryzen Embedded R1600

The Ryzen Embedded R1600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,276 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6100E and Ryzen Embedded R1600 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100E versus 3.1 GHz on the Ryzen Embedded R1600 — a 13.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Embedded R1600. The Core i3-6100E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100E scores 3,315 against the Ryzen Embedded R1600's 3,276 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-6100E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100E vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen Embedded R1600.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Ryzen Embedded R1600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.1 GHz+15%
Base Clock	—	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	3,315+1%	3,276

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i3-6100E) / not specified (Ryzen Embedded R1600). The Core i3-6100E includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Ryzen Embedded R1600
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 530	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6100E was priced at $225, while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($225 vs $0), Ryzen Embedded R1600 was $225 cheaper.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Ryzen Embedded R1600
MSRP	$225	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	14.7	—
Release Date	2015	2020

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