Core i3-6300 vs Core i7-2820QM
Core i3-6300
Core i7-2820QM
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 i7-2820QM is on rank 1138, 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 i7-2820QM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-6300 | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($99) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($568) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-6300 | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+467%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($99) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($568) |
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 i7-2820QM
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 i7-2820QM
The Core i7-2820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.
Processing Power
The Core i3-6300 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2820QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-6300 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2820QM — a 11.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-6300 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-6300 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2820QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6300 scores 4,331 against the Core i7-2820QM's 4,379 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-2820QM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6300 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2820QM.
| Feature | Core i3-6300 | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+12% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz+65% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,331 | 4,379+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 554 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,763 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-6300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-6300 | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | 1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-6300) / true (Core i7-2820QM). The Core i7-2820QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i3-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.
| Feature | Core i3-6300 | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-6300 launched at $147 MSRP, while the Core i7-2820QM debuted at $568.
| Feature | Core i3-6300 | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $147-74% | $568 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $99 | — |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2011 |
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