Core i3-6100U vs Core 2 Duo P8600

CPU

GPU

Core i3-6100U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2015

Core 2 Duo P8600

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-6100U

2 / 4

2,631

+0.5%

2,618

0.0%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-6100U is positioned at rank 772 and the Core 2 Duo P8600 is on rank 160, so the Core 2 Duo P8600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6100U

#760

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1115%

#761

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1099%

#762

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1009%

#763

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1004%

#764

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

995%

#766

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

961%

#767

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

921%

#768

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

920%

#769

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

895%

#772

Core i3-6100U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#773

Core i7-9750HF

MSRP: $395|Avg: $395

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8600

#148

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

336%

#149

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

331%

#150

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

304%

#151

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

303%

#152

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

300%

#154

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

290%

#155

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

278%

#156

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

277%

#157

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

270%

#160

Core 2 Duo P8600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-6100U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-6100U	Core 2 Duo P8600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P8600 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-6100U	Core 2 Duo P8600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-6100U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-6100U and Core 2 Duo P8600

Core i3-6100U

The Core i3-6100U 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 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: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,631 points. Launch price was $281.

Core 2 Duo P8600

The Core 2 Duo P8600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,618 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-6100U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P8600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U versus 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8600 — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P8600 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-6100U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100U scores 2,631 against the Core 2 Duo P8600's 2,618 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-6100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100U vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8600.

Feature	Core i3-6100U	Core 2 Duo P8600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	512 kB	3 MB+500%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,631	2,618

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6100U	Core 2 Duo P8600
Socket	BGA1356	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16