Core i5-6600 vs Core i3-8100
Core i5-6600
Core i3-8100
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 i5-6600 is positioned at rank 641 and the Core i3-8100 is on rank 410, 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 i5-6600
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6600 | Core i3-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) | ✅ More affordable ($45) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6600 | Core i3-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+100%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) | ✅ More affordable ($45) |
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 i5-6600 and Core i3-8100
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.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-6600 and Core i3-8100 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-6600 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-8100 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600 scores 6,058 against the Core i3-8100's 6,073 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-8100. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-6600 | Core i3-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+8% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 6,058 | 6,073 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 3,600 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i5-6600 | Core i3-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| 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: not specified (Core i5-6600) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100). 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 i5-6600 | Core i3-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i5-6600 launched at $224 MSRP, while the Core i3-8100 debuted at $117. At current prices ($90 vs $45), the Core i3-8100 is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6600 delivers 67.3 pts/$ vs 135.0 pts/$ for the Core i3-8100 — making the Core i3-8100 the 66.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-6600 | Core i3-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $224 | $117-48% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $90 | $45-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 67.3 | 135.0+101% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2017 |
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