How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-8100 scores 24/100 overall; Intel Core i5-6500 scores 23.5/100. Intel Core i3-8100 wins 7 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-6500 wins 0.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-8100 and the Intel Core i5-6500?

Intel Core i3-8100 advantages: 12% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz; 10% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 3,350 vs 3,050; Lower launch price: $117 vs $192.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-8100 or Intel Core i5-6500?

Intel Core i3-8100 launched cheaper at $117, versus $192 for the Intel Core i5-6500.

Intel Core i3-8100 vs Intel Core i5-6500

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-8100

$117

Intel

Intel Core i5-6500

$192

26.3Single-core25.6

23.7Multi-core22.9

21.9Gaming21.9

7 spec wins — Intel Core i3-81000 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6500

InnoReviews verdict

This one is close to a dead heat: Intel Core i3-8100 scores 24 against 23.5 for Intel Core i5-6500. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i3-8100 edges ahead in Multi-core and Single-core, or by price.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-8100

12% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz
10% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 3,350 vs 3,050
Lower launch price: $117 vs $192

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6500

No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-6500
Announced	2017	2015
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1151
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W	65 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-6500
Cores	4	4
Performance cores	4	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Boost clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L2 cache	1 MB	1 MB
L3 cache	6 MB	6 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-6500
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 530
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz+5%	1,050 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-6500
Memory support	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600
Max memory	64 GB	64 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-6500
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-6500
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-6500
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,200+2%	1,180
Geekbench 6 (multi)	3,350+10%	3,050
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,800+9%	3,500
PassMark	6,100+9%	5,600

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