Intel Core i3-8100 vs Intel Core i5-6500 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits these two processors into distinct roles. The Intel Core i5-6500 takes the Cinebench suite outright, winning all six Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both single-core and multi-core. The Intel Core i3-8100 counters by winning the Geekbench tests and the majority of the Passmark workload suite, taking 12 of the 19 head-to-head comparisons. The i5-6500 claims 7 wins.

This is not a clean generational sweep. The i5-6500 dominates rendering-style workloads that stress sustained multi-threaded execution, while the i3-8100 leads in the broader Passmark application mix, including integer math, floating point math, data compression, and encryption. The i3-8100 also wins both Geekbench tests, which are often used as a proxy for general system responsiveness. The i5-6500's wins are concentrated in one benchmark family, but they are consistent and large. The i3-8100's wins are more numerous but generally smaller in magnitude.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they come from different architectural generations. The i5-6500 uses the Skylake architecture, while the i3-8100 uses Coffee Lake. Both have 4 cores and 4 threads, so there is no hyper-threading advantage on either side. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core on both, and the L2 cache is 256 KB per core on both. The shared L3 cache is 6 MB on both.

The base clock differs. The i5-6500 runs at 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i3-8100 runs at a fixed 3.60 GHz with no boost clock listed. This means the i3-8100's base clock matches the i5-6500's maximum boost clock. The i5-6500 has a smaller die size at 177 mm², while the i3-8100 is smaller at 126 mm². Both use the Intel Socket 1151.

Memory support is DDR4 on both, with dual-channel buses. The memory bandwidth differs: the i5-6500 is rated at 34.1 GB/s, while the i3-8100 is rated at 38.4 GB/s. The i3-8100 also supports ECC memory, while the i5-6500 does not. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-6500 carries HD Graphics 530, while the i3-8100 carries UHD Graphics 630. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are the i5-6500's strongest territory. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-6500 scores 479 against the i3-8100's 379, a 26.4% lead. The single-core R15 test shows the same 26.4% delta, with scores of 67 and 53. The R20 multi-core test repeats the pattern: 1999 versus 1582, again 26.4%. The R20 single-core test shows 282 versus 223, a 26.5% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives 4760 versus 3769, a 26.3% lead, and R23 single-core gives 672 versus 532, also 26.3%. These are consistent, large margins across every Cinebench iteration.

The i3-8100's wins are smaller but cover more ground. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-8100 scores 3458 against 3118, a 9.8% advantage. Geekbench single-core shows 1214 versus 1099, a 9.5% lead. Passmark integer math gives the i3-8100 a 16191 to 14585 win, a 9.9% margin. Floating point math goes 13774 to 12391, a 10% lead. Extended instructions show 7212 versus 6549, a 9.2% gap. Data compression is 82992 versus 76510, a 7.8% win. Data encryption is 1828 versus 1678, an 8.2% margin. Multithread scores are 6086 versus 5604, a 7.9% lead. Random string sorting goes 10150 to 9357, a 7.8% gap. Physics is 462 versus 442, a 4.3% lead. Single-thread Passmark is 2203 versus 2093, a 5% margin. The only tie is in Passmark find prime numbers, where both score 27.

The pattern is clear. The i5-6500 wins by roughly a quarter in Cinebench, while the i3-8100 wins by single digits to low double digits across most other tests. The i3-8100's average benchmark score is 8123, compared to the i5-6500's 7569. The i3-8100 sits at the 64th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-6500 sits at the 63rd.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded fields. The base clock is 3.20 GHz on the i5-6500 and 3.60 GHz on the i3-8100. The i5-6500 has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the i3-8100 has no boost clock listed. The architecture is Skylake for the i5-6500 and Coffee Lake for the i3-8100. The die size is 177 mm² for the i5-6500 and 126 mm² for the i3-8100. Memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s for the i5-6500 and 38.4 GB/s for the i3-8100. ECC memory support is false for the i5-6500 and true for the i3-8100. Integrated graphics are HD Graphics 530 on the i5-6500 and UHD Graphics 630 on the i3-8100. The release date is 2015-07-01 for the i5-6500 and 2017-10-04 for the i3-8100. The part numbers are SR2L6 for the i5-6500 and SR3N5 for the i3-8100. The i3-8100 has a launch MSRP of $117. The i5-6500 has no launch MSRP recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-6500 wins all Cinebench multi-core tests. In R15, it scores 479 versus 379, a 26.4% lead. In R20, it scores 1999 versus 1582, also 26.4%. In R23, it scores 4760 versus 3769, a 26.3% margin.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100 wins both Geekbench tests. Multi-core is 3458 versus 3118, a 9.8% advantage. Single-core is 1214 versus 1099, a 9.5% lead.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes. Both have 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither has hyper-threading.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The i3-8100 has a higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-6500 is rated at 34.1 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR4.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The i3-8100 supports ECC memory. The i5-6500 does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?

A: The i3-8100 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz. The i5-6500 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, but it can boost to 3.60 GHz.

The Verdict

The data points to a workload-dependent choice. The Intel Core i5-6500 is the pick for Cinebench-style rendering workloads. Its 26.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and matching margins across R20 and R23 are the largest deltas in the entire comparison. If the primary use case is rendering or other tasks that scale similarly to Cinebench, the i5-6500 is clearly ahead.

The Intel Core i3-8100 is the better all-around performer in the broader benchmark mix. It wins 12 of 19 head-to-head tests, including Geekbench and most Passmark workloads. Its average benchmark score of 8123 is higher than the i5-6500's 7569. The i3-8100 also has a higher memory bandwidth rating, ECC support, and a newer release date. Its wins are smaller than the i5-6500's Cinebench margins, but they cover more test categories.

The i5-6500's Cinebench dominance is notable, but the i3-8100's wider set of wins and higher average score suggest it is the more balanced processor for general use. The i3-8100 also matches the i5-6500's boost clock as its base clock, which likely contributes to its consistent lead in single-threaded Passmark and Geekbench tests. For users prioritizing rendering, the i5-6500 is the data-backed choice. For everything else, the i3-8100 has the edge.