Core i3-6100T vs FX-6100

Core i3-6100T vs FX-6100 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-6100T

2 / 4

3,641

0.0%

3,686

+1.2%

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 i3-6100T vs FX-6100 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 FX-6100: 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

✅Costs $48 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $165 MSRP).
✅Delivers 39.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.1 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $165 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while FX-6100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6100 across 8 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,641 vs 3,686).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-6100

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 8 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.3 vs 31.1 PassMark/$ ($165 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6100T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-6100T.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6100 better than Core i3-6100T?

Yes. FX-6100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 8 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-6100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.9% more average FPS across 8 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-6100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

FX-6100 is still the much better call for a fresh build. FX-6100 comes in 41.0% more expensive on MSRP at $165 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 8 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-6100T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 39.3% better value on paper (31.1 vs 22.3 PassMark/$), 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 i3-6100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6100T vs FX-6100 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.

FX-6100

The FX-6100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,686 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-6100T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6100 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6100 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-6100T versus 3.9 GHz on the FX-6100 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the FX-6100 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-6100T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-6100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100T scores 3,641 against the FX-6100's 3,686 — a 1.2% lead for the FX-6100. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100T vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6100.

Feature	Core i3-6100T	FX-6100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.9 GHz+22%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.3 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB	6 MB+1100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,641	3,686+1%
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 FX-6100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6100T	FX-6100
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6100T) / not specified (FX-6100). The Core i3-6100T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the FX-6100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100T targets Budget.

Feature	Core i3-6100T	FX-6100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6100T was priced at $117, while the FX-6100 came in at $165. On launch pricing ($117 vs $165), Core i3-6100T was $48 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6100T delivers 31.1 pts/$ vs 22.3 pts/$ for the FX-6100 — making the Core i3-6100T the 32.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6100T	FX-6100
MSRP	$117-29%	$165
Performance per Dollar	31.1+39%	22.3
Release Date	2015	2011

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