How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 scores 41.6/100 overall; Intel Core i3-8100 scores 24/100. AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins 16 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-8100 wins 0.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and the Intel Core i3-8100?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 advantages: Stronger single-core score: 35 vs 26; Stronger multi-core score: 36 vs 24; 433% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 6 MB; 200% higher threads: 12 vs 4; 200% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 1 MB. Intel Core i3-8100 advantages: Lower launch price: $117 vs $199.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i3-8100?

Intel Core i3-8100 launched cheaper at $117, versus $199 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs Intel Core i3-8100

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 3600

$199

Intel

Intel Core i3-8100

$117

34.8Single-core26.3

36.4Multi-core23.7

59.1Gamingspec-based21.9

16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 36000 spec wins — Intel Core i3-8100

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41.6 to 24, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+13) and single-core (+8). Intel Core i3-8100 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 3600

Stronger single-core score: 35 vs 26
Stronger multi-core score: 36 vs 24
433% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 6 MB
200% higher threads: 12 vs 4
200% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 1 MB

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-8100

Lower launch price: $117 vs $199

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i3-8100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i3-8100
Announced	2019	2017
Socket	AM4	LGA1151-v2
Process	7 nm+50%	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W	65 W
Max turbo power	88 W	—
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i3-8100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i3-8100
Cores	6+50%	4
Performance cores	6+50%	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12+200%	4
Base clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock	4.2 GHz+17%	3.6 GHz
L2 cache	3 MB+200%	1 MB
L3 cache	32 MB+433%	6 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i3-8100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i3-8100
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i3-8100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i3-8100
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2400
Max memory	128 GB+100%	64 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i3-8100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i3-8100
PCIe version	4+33%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	24+50%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i3-8100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i3-8100
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,450+21%Bottom 25%	1,200Bottom 15%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,900+106%Bottom 36%	3,350Bottom 9%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,250Bottom 27%	—
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,200+142%Bottom 32%	3,800Bottom 8%
PassMark	17,800+192%Bottom 31%	6,100Bottom 7%

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