Pentium Gold G6600 vs Core i3-6100

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6100

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

9125%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

8622%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

6261%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1886%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1494%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1307%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

749%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

739%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

673%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

673%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

665%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

647%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

638%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

636%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

630%

#274

Ryzen 7 1800X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $120

96%

#379

Core i9-9940X

MSRP: $1387|Avg: $850

97%

#380

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

MSRP: $1899|Avg: $1836

96%

#548

Core i3-6100

MSRP: $125|Avg: $30

100%

#549

Core i3-6300T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $15

100%

#550

Core i3-6098P

MSRP: $117|Avg: $59

100%

#551

Core i7-7800X

MSRP: $383|Avg: $254

99%

#552

Core i3-7101TE

MSRP: $117|Avg: $60

99%

#555

FX-8320E

MSRP: $147|Avg: $60

99%

#556

Pentium G3260

MSRP: $64|Avg: $21

97%

#561

Athlon II X2 220

MSRP: $32|Avg: $10

96%

#563

Athlon X4 840

MSRP: $102|Avg: $25

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Gold G6600 (2020) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2666, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Gold G6600	Core i3-6100
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-6100 (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Gold G6600	Core i3-6100
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Pentium Gold G6600 Benchmark Check

Core i3-6100 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Gold G6600 and Core i3-6100

Pentium Gold G6600

The Pentium Gold G6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,223 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-6100

The Core i3-6100 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 4,270 points. Launch price was $117.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Pentium Gold G6600 and Core i3-6100 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6600 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6600 (base: 4.2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Pentium Gold G6600 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-6100 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold G6600 scores 4,223 against the Core i3-6100's 4,270 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-6100. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-6100.

Feature	Pentium Gold G6600	Core i3-6100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,223	4,270+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold G6600 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-6100 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Gold G6600	Core i3-6100
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Gold G6600) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6100). The Core i3-6100 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Pentium Gold G6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6100 targets Desktop.