Core i3-6100U vs Pentium B940

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 Pentium B940 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 Pentium B940: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-6100U across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,610 vs 2,631).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Core i3-6100U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100U better than Pentium B940?

Yes. Core i3-6100U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-6100U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% more average FPS across 47 shared CPU game tests.

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. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-6100U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-6100U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium B940 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-6100U vs Pentium B940 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.

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-6100U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B940's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 14% clock advantage for the Core i3-6100U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-6100U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100U scores 2,631 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-6100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100U vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

Feature	Core i3-6100U	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+15%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+15%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,631	2,610

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium B940 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.