Core i3-6100U vs FX-4100

Core i3-6100U vs FX-4100 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-6100U

2 / 4

2,631

0.0%

2,630

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

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 i3-6100U vs FX-4100 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 FX-4100: 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% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

FX-4100

2011

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,630 vs 2,631).
❌Launch MSRP is still $115 MSRP, while Core i3-6100U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4100 better than Core i3-6100U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4100 is ahead with a 2.6% 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% better PassMark. FX-4100 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-4100 is the better buy right now. FX-4100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $115 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-6100U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (22.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-6100U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) 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 i3-6100U vs FX-4100 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.

FX-4100

The FX-4100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,630 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-6100U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4100 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-4100 — a 49.2% clock advantage for the FX-4100 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-6100U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-4100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100U scores 2,631 against the FX-4100's 2,630 — a 0% lead for the Core i3-6100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100U vs 8192 kB on the FX-4100.

Feature	Core i3-6100U	FX-4100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.8 GHz+65%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8192 kB+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB	4096 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	2,631	2,630

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.