i3-6100E vs i7-990X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-990X
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.51
+116%
Core i3-6100E
2015
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
2.09

Core i7-990X outperforms Core i3-6100E by a whopping 116% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13071879
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.220.23
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i3
Power efficiency3.285.65
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Skylake (2015−2016)
Release date24 February 2011 (13 years ago)12 October 2015 (9 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,104$225

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i3-6100E has 5% better value for money than i7-990X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads124
Base clock speed3.46 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.73 GHz2.7 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 3.0
Bus rate6.4 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data27
L1 cache64 KB (per core)128 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512 KB
L3 cache12 MB (shared)3 MB
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size239 mm298.57 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,170 million1750 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1366,LGA1366no data
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
AES-NI++
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data

Security technologies

Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3LPDDR3-1866
Maximum memory size24 GB64 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s34.134 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 530

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-990X 4.51
+116%
i3-6100E 2.09

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-990X 7168
+116%
i3-6100E 3315

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.51 2.09
Recency 24 February 2011 12 October 2015
Physical cores 6 2
Threads 12 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 35 Watt

i7-990X has a 115.8% higher aggregate performance score, and 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads.

i3-6100E, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 4 years, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 271.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-990X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-6100E in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-990X is a desktop processor while Core i3-6100E is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-990X and Core i3-6100E, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-990X
Core i7-990X
Intel Core i3-6100E
Core i3-6100E

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Community ratings

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