Core i3-6300 vs Core i5-3475S
Core i3-6300
Core i5-3475S
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i3-6300 is positioned at rank 603 and the Core i5-3475S is on rank 859, so the Core i3-6300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6300
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3475S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-6300 | Core i5-3475S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) | ✅ More affordable ($42) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-6300 | Core i5-3475S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+135%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) | ✅ More affordable ($42) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-6300 and Core i5-3475S
Core i3-6300
The Core i3-6300 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 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,331 points. Launch price was $147.
Core i5-3475S
The Core i5-3475S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,315 points. Launch price was $219.
Processing Power
The Core i3-6300 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3475S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3475S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-6300 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3475S — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-6300 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-6300 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3475S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6300 scores 4,331 against the Core i5-3475S's 4,315 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-6300. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6300 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3475S.
| Feature | Core i3-6300 | Core i5-3475S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+6% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz+31% | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 6 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,331 | 4,315 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 705 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,544 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-6300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3475S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-6300 | Core i5-3475S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-6300) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3475S). The Core i5-3475S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i3-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3475S targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-3475S rivals FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i3-6300 | Core i5-3475S |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-6300 launched at $147 MSRP, while the Core i5-3475S debuted at $249. At current prices ($99 vs $42), the Core i5-3475S is $57 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6300 delivers 43.7 pts/$ vs 102.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-3475S — making the Core i5-3475S the 80.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-6300 | Core i5-3475S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $147-41% | $249 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $99 | $42-58% |
| Performance per Dollar | 43.7 | 102.7+135% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2012 |
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