Intel Core i3-9100T vs Intel Core i5-6600T Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100T records an average benchmark score of 1620, while the Intel Core i5-6600T sits at 1563. The i3-9100T holds a 3.6% advantage in this aggregate metric.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Geekbench multicore performance?

A: The i3-9100T scores 3443 in Geekbench multicore, which is 9.8% higher than the i5-6600T's 3104. This is the largest performance gap across all recorded head-to-head tests.

Q: Do both processors share the same socket?

A: Yes, both use the Intel Socket 1151. This means they are physically compatible with the same motherboard socket type, though other platform considerations may apply.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The i5-6600T features UHD Graphics 530, while the i3-9100T uses UHD Graphics 630. The newer i3 part has a more recent graphics implementation.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-9100T supports ECC memory. The i5-6600T does not list ECC as a supported feature.

Q: Are there any benchmark results where the i5-6600T wins?

A: The i5-6600T wins only one head-to-head test: Cinebench R15 single-core, where both score 67 and the delta is 0%. It also ties that test, but the database credits the i5 with the win due to the tie-break rule.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures despite sharing the 14 nm process node and the Intel Socket 1151. The i5-6600T is built on Skylake, released as part of the Core i5 (Skylake) generation, while the i3-9100T uses Coffee Lake, specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh generation for Core i3.

The die size differs significantly: the i5-6600T measures 177 mm², whereas the i3-9100T is much smaller at 126 mm². This size reduction reflects architectural refinements and integration improvements in the newer Coffee Lake design.

Both processors have identical core and thread counts: 4 cores and 4 threads. The cache hierarchy is also the same structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the fundamental compute resources are the same, and performance differences come from clock speeds and microarchitectural efficiency rather than core counts.

Memory support differs. The i5-6600T supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i3-9100T only supports DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the i3-9100T achieves a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s compared to 34.1 GB/s for the i5-6600T. The newer chip also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the older Skylake part.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-6600T ships with UHD Graphics 530, while the i3-9100T includes UHD Graphics 630. The PCIe configuration is identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only.

The release dates are far apart: the i5-6600T launched in July 2015, and the i3-9100T arrived in August 2018. Both are now marked as end-of-life in the database. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Core i3-9100T as the stronger performer in nearly every test. It wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the only exception being a single-core Cinebench R15 tie where both score 67.

The i3-9100T leads in all multicore workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 482 against 478 for the i5-6600T, a 0.8% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the gap is 2010 versus 1992, or 0.9%. The largest multicore difference appears in Geekbench, where the i3-9100T scores 3443 versus 3104, a substantial 9.8% margin.

Single-core performance also favors the newer chip, though by smaller margins. The i3-9100T wins Cinebench R20 single-core at 283 versus 280 (1.1% ahead), Cinebench R23 single-core at 675 versus 669 (0.9% ahead), and Geekbench single-core at 1215 versus 1172 (3.5% ahead). The only single-core test where the i5-6600T matches is Cinebench R15, both at 67.

The i3-9100T also offers ECC memory support and higher memory bandwidth, which may matter for users with specific stability or data-integrity requirements. Its smaller die size and newer architecture suggest better manufacturing efficiency.

Users who already own an i5-6600T system may find the performance difference modest in most applications, given the small percentage deltas in Cinebench tests. However, the Geekbench multicore gap of nearly 10% indicates that some workloads will show a more meaningful improvement. For anyone building a new system or upgrading from a different platform, the i3-9100T is the clear choice based on the benchmark data.

The i5-6600T's single win is a statistical tie in one test. It offers no meaningful advantage in any recorded benchmark. Its only distinguishing features are DDR3 memory compatibility and a larger die size. Neither translates to better performance in the measured data.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Base clock: The i5-6600T runs at 2.70 GHz, while the i3-9100T has a 3.10 GHz base clock.
• Boost clock: The i5-6600T boosts to 3.50 GHz, and the i3-9100T reaches 3.70 GHz.
• Architecture: Skylake for the i5-6600T, Coffee Lake for the i3-9100T.
• Codename: Skylake versus Coffee Lake.
• Generation: Core i5 (Skylake) versus Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh).
• Die size: 177 mm² for the i5-6600T, 126 mm² for the i3-9100T.
• Memory support: DDR3 and DDR4 for the i5-6600T, only DDR4 for the i3-9100T.
• Memory bandwidth: 34.1 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s.
• ECC memory: Not supported by the i5-6600T, supported by the i3-9100T.
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 530 versus UHD Graphics 630.
• Release date: July 2015 for the i5-6600T, August 2018 for the i3-9100T.
• Part number: SR2L9 for the i5-6600T, SRCZX for the i3-9100T.

Both processors share the same 14 nm process node, 4 cores, 4 threads, 35 W TDP, Intel Socket 1151, dual-channel memory bus, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, L1 cache of 64 KB per core, L2 cache of 256 KB per core, L3 cache of 6 MB shared, and locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a consistent pattern: the i3-9100T outperforms the i5-6600T in 7 of 8 tests, with the lone exception being a tie.

Cinebench R15 multicore: The i3-9100T scores 482 versus 478 for the i5-6600T. The delta is just 0.8%, indicating both chips deliver nearly identical multithreaded rendering performance in this older version of Cinebench.

Cinebench R15 single-core: Both processors score exactly 67. This is a perfect tie. The database credits the i5-6600T with the win due to the tie-break rule, but the data shows no measurable difference.

Cinebench R20 multicore: The i3-9100T takes the lead at 2010, with the i5-6600T at 1992. The 0.9% gap is small but consistent with the R15 multicore result.

Cinebench R20 single-core: The i3-9100T scores 283, edging out the i5-6600T's 280 by 1.1%. This is the largest single-core margin in the Cinebench series.

Cinebench R23 multicore: The i3-9100T scores 4788, and the i5-6600T scores 4745. The 0.9% delta matches the R20 multicore result closely.

Cinebench R23 single-core: The i3-9100T scores 675, and the i5-6600T scores 669. The 0.9% gap is identical in relative terms to the R23 multicore delta.

Geekbench multicore: This is the standout difference. The i3-9100T scores 3443, while the i5-6600T manages 3104. The 9.8% delta is more than ten times larger than any Cinebench multicore gap. This suggests the newer architecture and higher clocks provide a more substantial benefit in this workload.

Geekbench single-core: The i3-9100T scores 1215 versus 1172 for the i5-6600T, a 3.5% advantage. This is also larger than the Cinebench single-core deltas, reinforcing the pattern that Geekbench amplifies the architectural and clock differences between these two chips.

The average benchmark score tells the same story: the i3-9100T averages 1620 across all tests, while the i5-6600T averages 1563. The i3-9100T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-970 (1613, 0.4% behind) and the Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 (1630, 0.6% ahead). The i5-6600T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-8300 (1564, 0.1% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (1562, 0.1% behind). Both processors sit at the 39th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

For users deciding between these two parts, the data is unambiguous. The i3-9100T wins every meaningful comparison except a single-core tie in one Cinebench version. The Geekbench multicore result, with its nearly 10% gap, is the most compelling evidence that the newer chip is the stronger choice for multithreaded applications.