Intel Core i3-6100 vs AMD Ryzen 3 1300X

The Intel Core i3-6100 is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 3%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.

Intel Core i3-6100 wins — about 3% faster for gaming
Specification Intel Core i3-6100 AMD Ryzen 3 1300X
Gaming score 33/100 32/100
Tier D D
Manufacturer Intel AMD
Cores 2 4
Threads 4 4
Base clock 3.7 GHz 3.5 GHz
Boost clock 3.7 GHz 3.7 GHz
Power draw (TDP) 51 W 65 W
Release year 2015 2017

Which should you buy?

For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i3-6100 is the better buy — it holds a 3% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has more cores (4 vs 2), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i3-6100 runs 14W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.