Intel Core i3-8121U vs Intel Core i5-6200U

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i3-8121U or Intel Core i3-8121U – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i3-8121U features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2018 and belongs to the 8 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-8121U, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1356 socket.
The Intel Core i5-6200U features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2015 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-6200U, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1356 socket.
Intel Core i 8000U Group Intel Core i 6000U
8 Generation 6
Intel Core i3-8121U Name Intel Core i5-6200U
Mobile Segment Mobile
Intel Core i3 Family Intel Core i5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i3-8121U has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-8121U is 2.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.2 GHz.
The Intel Core i5-6200U has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-6200U is 2.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 2.8 GHz.
2.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 2.7 GHz
3.2 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 2.8 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
2.2 GHz Frequency 2.3 GHz
2 CPU Cores 2
No Overclocking No
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
2x Cores 2x
4 Threads 4
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i3-8121U does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i5-6200U has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-6200U uses the Intel HD Graphics 520, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.0 GHz
-- Technology 14 nm
-- Direct X 12
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 32.0 GB
-- Execution units 24
-- Release date Q3/2015
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 520
-- Shaders 192
-- GPU frequency 0.3 GHz
-- Generation 9
-- Max. displays --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
-- VP9 Decode
-- VP8 Decode / Encode
-- VC-1 Decode
-- JPEG Decode / Encode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
DDR4-2400, LPDDR4-2400 Memory type DDR4-2133
38.4 GB/s Bandwidth 34.1 GB/s
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
pci PCIe pci
32.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 15 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
15 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 15 W
105 °C Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i3-8121U is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-6200U is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
10 nm Technology 14 nm
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
-- Part Number --
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Q2/2018 Release date Q3/2015
-- Release price 281 $
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
4.0 MB L3-Cache 3.0 MB
BGA 1356 Socket BGA 1356
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Cannon Lake U Architecture Skylake U
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i3-8121U
2C 4T @ 2.2 GHz
7794
7794
Intel Core i5-6200U
2C 4T @ 2.3 GHz
6169
6169

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i3-8121U
2C 4T @ 2.2 GHz
4078
4078
Intel Core i5-6200U
2C 4T @ 2.3 GHz
2949
2949

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i3-8121U
2C 4T @ 2.2 GHz
2414
2414
Intel Core i5-6200U
2C 4T @ 2.3 GHz
1867
1867

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i3-8121U
2C 4T @ 2.2 GHz
1987
1987
Intel Core i5-6200U
2C 4T @ 2.3 GHz
1346
1346

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i3-8121U
2C 4T @ 2.2 GHz
1114
1114
Intel Core i5-6200U
2C 4T @ 2.3 GHz
946
946

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i3-8121U
2C 4T @ 2.2 GHz
305
305
Intel Core i5-6200U
2C 4T @ 2.3 GHz
290
290