Core i3-6100T vs Pentium G4600

Intel

Core i3-6100T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium G4600

2 Cores4 Thrd51 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2017
Similar parts
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Core i3-6100T vs Pentium G4600 Performance Spectrum

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 Pentium G4600 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 Pentium G4600: 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.
  • Draws 35W instead of 51W, a 16W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Pentium G4600 needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium G4600.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium G4600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.1 vs 44.3 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).

Pentium G4600

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $35 less on MSRP ($82 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
  • Delivers 42.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.3 vs 31.1 PassMark/$ ($82 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (3,629 vs 3,641).
  • 45.7% higher power demand at 51W 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 Pentium G4600 better than Core i3-6100T?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G4600 is ahead with a 3.1% 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?
Pentium G4600 is the better buy right now. Pentium G4600 comes in $35 cheaper on MSRP at $82 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-6100T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 42.2% better value on MSRP (44.3 vs 31.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium G4600 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 Pentium G4600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Pentium G4600

The Pentium G4600 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 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,629 points. Launch price was $87.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6100T and Pentium G4600 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-6100T versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium G4600 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Pentium G4600 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-6100T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium G4600 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100T scores 3,641 against the Pentium G4600's 3,629 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-6100T. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100T vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G4600.

FeatureCore i3-6100TPentium G4600
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
3.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock
3.2 GHz
3.6 GHz+12%
L3 Cache
3 MB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Skylake (2015−2016)
Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark
3,641
3,629
Cinebench R23 Multi
2,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,041
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,071
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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

FeatureCore i3-6100TPentium G4600
Socket
LGA1151
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6100T) / not specified (Pentium G4600). The Core i3-6100T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Pentium G4600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100T targets Budget.

FeatureCore i3-6100TPentium G4600
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 530
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6100T was priced at $117, while the Pentium G4600 came in at $82. On launch pricing ($117 vs $82), Pentium G4600 was $35 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6100T delivers 31.1 pts/$ vs 44.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G4600 — making the Pentium G4600 the 34.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-6100TPentium G4600
MSRP
$117
$82-30%
Performance per Dollar
31.1
44.3+42%
Release Date
2015
2017

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