Intel Core i7-6700 vs Intel Core i3-8100

The Intel Core i7-6700, architectural name Skylake S, was introduced in 2015 for the upper mainstream segment.

The Intel Core i3-8100, with the Coffee Lake S architecture, came onto the market in 2017 and was aimed at the entry-level to mid-range segment.

Both are Intel desktop processors. Both CPUs are manufactured using the 14nm process and utilize PCIe 3.0. The Intel Core i7-6700 has 4 cores and 8 threads (Hyper-Threading) with 8 MB L3 cache. The Intel Core i3-8100 offers 4 cores and 4 threads (without Hyper-Threading) with 6 MB L3 cache.

In multi-core benchmarks, the Intel Core i7-6700 significantly outperforms the Intel Core i3-8100 (over 10 percent), and it is also partially better in single-core performance. The maximum memory bandwidth is 34 GB/s for the Intel Core i7-6700 and 38 GB/s for the Intel Core i3-8100.

Both integrated graphics units (Intel HD Graphics 530 / Intel UHD Graphics 630) are unsuitable for demanding gaming. For gaming, the Intel Core i7-6700 often offers better performance due to more threads. Both processors have a comparable Thermal Design Power (TDP), which implies similar cooling and power consumption requirements under load.

The Intel Core i7-6700 is recommended for multitasking and demanding applications. The Intel Core i3-8100 is a good choice for basic tasks in budget-conscious systems. On the used market, the Intel Core i7-6700 may have a higher value due to its multi-thread capabilities.