Core i3-8100 vs Core i5-6600
Core i3-8100
Core i5-6600
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 i3-8100 is positioned at rank 410 and the Core i5-6600 is on rank 641, so the Core i3-8100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8100
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-8100 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($45) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-8100 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+100%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($45) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) |
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 i3-8100 and Core i5-6600
Core i3-8100
The Core i3-8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,073 points. Launch price was $117.
Core i5-6600
The Core i5-6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,058 points. Launch price was $224.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-8100 and Core i5-6600 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-8100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6600 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100 scores 6,073 against the Core i5-6600's 6,058 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-8100. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i3-8100 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.9 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+9% | 3.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 6,073 | 6,058 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,200 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,600 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i3-8100 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100) / not specified (Core i5-6600). The Core i3-8100 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100 targets Budget Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-8100 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Budget Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-8100 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Core i5-6600 debuted at $224. At current prices ($45 vs $90), the Core i3-8100 is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8100 delivers 135.0 pts/$ vs 67.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-6600 — making the Core i3-8100 the 66.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-8100 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $117-48% | $224 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45-50% | $90 |
| Performance per Dollar | 135.0+101% | 67.3 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2015 |
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