Core i3-6100T vs Core i5-7300U

Core i3-6100T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2015

Core i5-7300U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-6100T

2 / 4

3,641

+0.3%

3,631

0.0%

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 i3-6100T is positioned at rank 581 and the Core i5-7300U is on rank 611, so the Core i3-6100T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6100T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

10017%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

9465%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

6872%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2070%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1640%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1435%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

822%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

811%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

738%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

738%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

730%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

710%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

700%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

698%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

691%

#278

Ryzen Threadripper 1900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $116

98%

#382

Ryzen Embedded R2544

MSRP: $280|Avg: $280

97%

#581

Core i3-6100T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $20

100%

#582

Athlon X4 970

MSRP: $85|Avg: $85

100%

#583

FX-8370

MSRP: $199|Avg: $100

100%

#584

Pentium G4520

MSRP: $86|Avg: $45

100%

#585

Core i3-4170

MSRP: $117|Avg: $40

100%

#586

Celeron G460

MSRP: $37|Avg: $10

99%

#587

A4 PRO-7350B

MSRP: $50|Avg: $11

99%

#589

Pentium G3220T

MSRP: $54|Avg: $15

98%

#590

Celeron G1620

MSRP: $52|Avg: $40

98%

#591

Core i5-7600T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $60

98%

#593

Core i3-7300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $128

97%

#594

Celeron G1830

MSRP: $52|Avg: $5

96%

#596

Core i3-4160

MSRP: $117|Avg: $52

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7300U

#599

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

808%

#600

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

796%

#601

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

731%

#602

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

728%

#603

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

721%

#605

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

696%

#606

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

668%

#607

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

666%

#608

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

649%

#611

Core i5-7300U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#622

Athlon II P320

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

98%

#625

Core 3 N355

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-7300U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-6100T	Core i5-7300U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-6100T (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-6100T	Core i5-7300U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-6100T Benchmark Check

Core i5-7300U Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-6100T and Core i5-7300U

Core i3-6100T

The Core i3-6100T 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,641 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i5-7300U

The Core i5-7300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,631 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6100T and Core i5-7300U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-6100T versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7300U — a 9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7300U (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-6100T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7300U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100T scores 3,641 against the Core i5-7300U's 3,631 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-6100T. Both processors carry 3 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-6100T	Core i5-7300U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,641	3,631
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,041	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,071	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7300U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. The Core i3-6100T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-6100T) vs 12 (Core i5-7300U) — the Core i3-6100T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-6100T	Core i5-7300U
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6100T) and HD Graphics 620 (Core i5-7300U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100T targets Budget, Core i5-7300U targets Mobile.