Core i3-6100TE vs FX-4170

Core i3-6100TE vs FX-4170 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-6100TE

2 / 4

3,152

+1.0%

3,121

0.0%

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 i3-6100TE vs FX-4170 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 FX-4170: 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% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while FX-4170 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4170 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.6 vs 19.9 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).

FX-4170

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Costs $93 less on MSRP ($157 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.9 vs 12.6 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,121 vs 3,152).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W 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 FX-4170?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4170 is ahead with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100TE pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. FX-4170 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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% 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 still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-6100TE comes in 59.2% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $157 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. FX-4170 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 57.7% better value on paper (19.9 vs 12.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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 a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-6100TE vs FX-4170 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.

FX-4170

The FX-4170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 February 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,121 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-6100TE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4170 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4170 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100TE versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-4170 — a 45.7% clock advantage for the FX-4170. The Core i3-6100TE uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-4170 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100TE scores 3,152 against the FX-4170's 3,121 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-6100TE. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i3-6100TE vs 8192 kB on the FX-4170.

Feature	Core i3-6100TE	FX-4170
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	4.3 GHz+59%
Base Clock	—	4.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	8192 kB+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB	4096 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,152	3,121

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4170 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6100TE	FX-4170
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 i3-6100TE) / not specified (FX-4170). The Core i3-6100TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the FX-4170 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100TE targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i3-6100TE	FX-4170
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6100TE was priced at $250, while the FX-4170 came in at $157. On launch pricing ($250 vs $157), FX-4170 was $93 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6100TE delivers 12.6 pts/$ vs 19.9 pts/$ for the FX-4170 — making the FX-4170 the 44.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6100TE	FX-4170
MSRP	$250	$157-37%
Performance per Dollar	12.6	19.9+58%
Release Date	2015	2012

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