Core i3-6100TE vs Core i5-6360U

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 i3-6100TE vs Core i5-6360U 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 i3-6100TE vs Core i5-6360U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6100TE

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Core i5-6360U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i5-6360U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-6360U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,112 vs 3,152).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6100TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100TE better than Core i5-6360U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6360U is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100TE pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6100TE is the better buy right now. Core i3-6100TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-6360U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-6100TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-6100TE vs Core i5-6360U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6100TE

The Core i3-6100TE 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: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,152 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i5-6360U

The Core i5-6360U 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,112 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6100TE and Core i5-6360U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100TE versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6360U — a 13.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-6360U. Both are built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-6100TE scores 3,152 against the Core i5-6360U's 3,112 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-6100TE. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-6100TE	Core i5-6360U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.1 GHz+15%
Base Clock	—	2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,152+1%	3,112

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6360U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6100TE	Core i5-6360U
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1356
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 i3-6100TE) / not specified (Core i5-6360U). The Core i3-6100TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-6360U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100TE targets Embedded.