Core i3-6100U vs Core i5-4258U

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 i3-6100U vs Core i5-4258U 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 i3-6100U vs Core i5-4258U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6100U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-4258U

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,610 vs 2,631).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100U better than Core i5-4258U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4258U is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6100U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-6100U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-6100U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and 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 i3-6100U vs Core i5-4258U Technical Specifications

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

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 i5-4258U

The Core i5-4258U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $342.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6100U and Core i5-4258U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4258U — a 23.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-4258U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-6100U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4258U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100U scores 2,631 against the Core i5-4258U's 2,610 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-6100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4258U.

Feature	Core i3-6100U	Core i5-4258U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.9 GHz+26%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,631	2,610

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4258U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.