Core i3-6102E vs Core i7-860S

CPU

GPU

Core i3-6102E

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2015

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Core i7-860S

4 Cores8 Thrd82 WWMax: 3.46 GHz2010

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Core i3-6102E vs Core i7-860S Performance Spectrum

Core i3-6102E

2 / 4

2,349

+1.1%

2,324

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.

Core i3-6102E vs Core i7-860S 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 i3-6102E vs Core i7-860S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6102E

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $74 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 34.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.4 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 82W, a 57W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Core i7-860S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-860S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-860S.

Core i7-860S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-6102E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,324 vs 2,349).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌228% higher power demand at 82W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6102E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6102E better than Core i7-860S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-860S is ahead with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6102E pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-860S 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 i3-6102E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6102E is the better buy right now. Core i3-6102E comes in $74 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-860S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 34.3% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-6102E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-6102E vs Core i7-860S Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6102E

The Core i3-6102E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,349 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i7-860S

The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-6102E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-860S offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-860S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-6102E versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S — a 58.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-860S. The Core i3-6102E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-860S uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6102E scores 2,349 against the Core i7-860S's 2,324 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-6102E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6102E vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S.

Feature	Core i3-6102E	Core i7-860S
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.9 GHz	3.46 GHz+82%
Base Clock	—	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,349+1%	2,324
Geekbench 6 Single	—	451
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,332

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6102E versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-860S — the Core i3-6102E supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-6102E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-6102E	Core i7-860S
Socket	—	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6102E) vs Yes (Core i7-860S). The Core i3-6102E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i7-860S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6102E targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i3-6102E	Core i7-860S
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6102E was priced at $225, while the Core i7-860S came in at $299. On launch pricing ($225 vs $299), Core i3-6102E was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6102E delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 7.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-860S — making the Core i3-6102E the 29.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6102E	Core i7-860S
MSRP	$225-25%	$299
Performance per Dollar	10.4+33%	7.8
Release Date	2015	2010

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