Core i3-6100U vs Core i7-3687U

Core i3-6100U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2015

Core i7-3687U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-6100U

2 / 4

2,631

+0.4%

2,621

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 i7-3687U is on rank 654, so the Core i7-3687U 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 i7-3687U

#642

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

896%

#643

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

882%

#644

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

810%

#645

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

806%

#646

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

799%

#648

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

772%

#649

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

740%

#650

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

739%

#651

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

719%

#654

Core i7-3687U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#662

Athlon II P360

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

99%

#665

Athlon X2 QL-64

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

99%

#666

Core 3 N350

MSRP: $225|Avg: $220

98%

#668

FX-7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3687U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-6100U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-6100U	Core i7-3687U
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 (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-6100U	Core i7-3687U
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 i7-3687U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-6100U and Core i7-3687U

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 i7-3687U

The Core i7-3687U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,621 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6100U and Core i7-3687U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3687U — a 35.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3687U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-6100U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3687U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100U scores 2,631 against the Core i7-3687U's 2,621 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-6100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3687U.

Feature	Core i3-6100U	Core i7-3687U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.3 GHz+43%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+10%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,631	2,621
Geekbench 6 Single	—	640
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,240

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3687U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6100U	Core i7-3687U
Socket	BGA1356	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-6100U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3687U). The Core i7-3687U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i3-6100U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3687U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i7-3687U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.