Core i3-6157U vs Core m3-8100Y

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 i3-6157U vs Core m3-8100Y 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 i3-6157U vs Core m3-8100Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6157U

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Graphics 550, while Core m3-8100Y needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core m3-8100Y

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,767 vs 2,782).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6157U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6157U better than Core m3-8100Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core m3-8100Y is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6157U pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core m3-8100Y also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6157U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6157U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-6157U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.

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

Core m3-8100Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2016) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6157U vs Core m3-8100Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6157U

The Core i3-6157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,782 points. Launch price was $304.

Core m3-8100Y

The Core m3-8100Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,767 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6157U and Core m3-8100Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-6157U versus 3.4 GHz on the Core m3-8100Y — a 34.5% clock advantage for the Core m3-8100Y (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-6157U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core m3-8100Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6157U scores 2,782 against the Core m3-8100Y's 2,767 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-6157U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6157U vs 4 MB on the Core m3-8100Y.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Core m3-8100Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.4 GHz+42%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+118%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,782	2,767

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6157U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-8100Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Core m3-8100Y
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6157U) / not specified (Core m3-8100Y). The Core i3-6157U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 550), while the Core m3-8100Y requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6157U targets Mobile.