Intel Core i3-5157U vs Intel Core i3-6100 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly in favor of the Intel Core i3-6100 across every recorded workload. In the seven head-to-head comparisons, the i3-6100 wins all seven, while the i3-5157U records zero wins. The margins, however, are narrow in most tests. The largest advantage appears in Geekbench multicore, where the i3-6100 leads by 2.4% (1605 versus 1568). The smallest edge is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the difference is only 0.8% (131 versus 130).

This pattern suggests the i3-6100 is consistently faster, but not decisively so in most tasks. The i3-5157U remains competitive in single-threaded workloads, trailing by roughly 1% or less in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests. For users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, the i3-6100 holds a slightly firmer lead, particularly in Geekbench multicore where the gap reaches 2.4%.

The use-case split is clear: the i3-6100 is the pick for desktop-oriented workloads where sustained performance matters, while the i3-5157U, despite losing every benchmark, still offers comparable results in lightly threaded tasks. The i3-5157U's integrated graphics (Intel Iris 6100) and lower power draw position it differently, but raw CPU benchmark scores do not favor it.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-6100 averages 888 points, while the Intel Core i3-5157U averages 877 points, a difference of 11 points.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i3-6100 scores 2226, and the i3-5157U scores 2203. The i3-6100 wins by 1%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between them?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multicore, where the i3-6100 scores 1605 versus 1568 for the i3-5157U, a 2.4% advantage.

Q: Are both processors based on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use a 14 nm process node from Intel. However, they use different architectures: Skylake for the i3-6100 and Broadwell for the i3-5157U.

Q: Which processor has more transistors?

A: The i3-5157U has 1,900 million transistors, compared to 1,400 million for the i3-6100.

Q: Do both support the same memory type?

A: No. The i3-6100 supports DDR4 memory, while the i3-5157U supports DDR3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows the i3-6100 ahead in every head-to-head test, but the margins reveal a close contest. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-6100 scores 224 against 222 for the i3-5157U, a 0.9% win. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 934 versus 925, a 1% lead. The single-core results are even tighter: Cinebench R20 single-core has the i3-6100 at 131 and the i3-5157U at 130, a 0.8% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core repeats the pattern with 314 against 311, a 1% difference.

The Geekbench suite provides the most pronounced separation. In Geekbench multicore, the i3-6100 reaches 1605, while the i3-5157U manages 1568, giving the desktop chip a 2.4% advantage. Geekbench single-core is closer: 785 versus 778, a 0.9% lead for the i3-6100.

These numbers indicate that the i3-6100's higher base clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to 2.50 GHz for the i3-5157U, translates into a consistent, though modest, performance edge. The i3-5157U never wins, but it stays within striking distance in most tests. The only test where the gap exceeds 2% is Geekbench multicore, suggesting that the i3-6100's advantage grows slightly under multi-threaded loads.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key specifications. The i3-6100 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz, while the i3-5157U runs at 2.50 GHz, a substantial difference of 1.2 GHz. Thermal design power also differs: the i3-6100 draws 51 W, whereas the i3-5157U consumes 28 W, making the mobile chip significantly more power-efficient.

Socket compatibility separates them further. The i3-6100 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i3-5157U uses Intel BGA 1168, meaning the former is socketed for desktop builds and the latter is soldered for mobile platforms. Memory support differs as well: the i3-6100 uses DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i3-5157U uses DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. Both are dual-channel.

The integrated graphics differ. The i3-6100 includes Intel HD 530, while the i3-5157U carries Intel Iris 6100. PCIe support also varies: the i3-6100 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i3-5157U offers Gen 2 with 12 lanes. Market segment and production status are distinct: the i3-6100 is a desktop chip that remains active, while the i3-5157U is a mobile chip that is end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process, but they implement different architectures. The i3-6100 uses the Skylake architecture, while the i3-5157U uses Broadwell. The transistor counts reflect this difference: the i3-5157U packs 1,900 million transistors, while the i3-6100 has 1,400 million. Die size also differs, with the i3-5157U at 133 mm² and the i3-6100 at 150 mm², meaning the mobile chip fits more transistors into a smaller area.

Cache hierarchies are not identical. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but L3 cache differs: the i3-6100 has 4 MB shared, while the i3-5157U has 3 MB shared. This 1 MB difference in L3 could influence performance in cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data shows only minor overall gaps.

Release dates are close but not equal: the i3-5157U launched in February 2015, while the i3-6100 launched in August 2015. Both are dual-core, four-thread parts with no unlocked multiplier. The i3-5157U's part number is SR26M, and the i3-6100's is SR2HG. Neither supports ECC memory.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i3-6100 as the stronger performer in every recorded benchmark. With a 2.4% lead in Geekbench multicore and consistent wins across all seven tests, it is the safer choice for users who prioritize raw CPU throughput. Its higher base clock and larger L3 cache likely contribute to this edge, and its active production status means it remains available for new builds.

The Intel Core i3-5157U, however, is not without merit. Its 28 W TDP, compared to 51 W for the i3-6100, makes it a far more efficient option for mobile or compact systems. The integrated Iris 6100 graphics are a notable advantage over the HD 530, though the benchmark data does not cover graphics performance. Its end-of-life status and lower average score of 877 versus 888 place it slightly behind.

For a desktop user building a Socket 1151 system with DDR4 memory, the i3-6100 is the clear choice based on the recorded numbers. For a laptop or low-power application where the BGA 1168 socket and DDR3 support are required, the i3-5157U is the only option of the two, and its benchmark scores are close enough that the performance penalty is minimal. The i3-5157U's launch MSRP was $315, but that figure does not affect the performance analysis. In short: the i3-6100 wins on compute, while the i3-5157U wins on efficiency and integration, though the benchmark data only confirms the former.