Core i3-6100T vs Core i5-7300U

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 i3-6100T vs Core i5-7300U 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 i3-6100T vs Core i5-7300U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6100T

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-7300U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i5-7300U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Core i5-7300U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,631 vs 3,641).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-6100T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7300U better than Core i3-6100T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7300U is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100T pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7300U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7300U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-6100T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (31.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-7300U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6100T vs Core i5-7300U Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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	—

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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 — 100% 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	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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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.