Core i3-8100H vs Core i5-6442EQ

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 i3-8100H vs Core i5-6442EQ 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 i3-8100H vs Core i5-6442EQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100H

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 25W, a 24W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-6442EQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,435 vs 4,483).

Core i5-6442EQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i3-8100H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2400% higher power demand at 25W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8100H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8100H better than Core i5-6442EQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8100H is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6442EQ pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6442EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8100H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8100H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6442EQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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

Core i3-8100H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8100H vs Core i5-6442EQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100H

The Core i3-8100H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,435 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i5-6442EQ

The Core i5-6442EQ 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 4,483 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-8100H and Core i5-6442EQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i3-8100H versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-6442EQ — a 44.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-8100H. The Core i3-8100H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6442EQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100H scores 4,435 against the Core i5-6442EQ's 4,483 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-6442EQ. Both processors carry 6 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-8100H	Core i5-6442EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+58%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB	6 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,435	4,483+1%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100H) / not specified (Core i5-6442EQ). The Core i3-8100H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-6442EQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100H targets Mobile.