PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i3-7300 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i3-7300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1115GRE

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 51W, a 36W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($338 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).

Core i3-7300

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $154 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $338 MSRP).
✅Delivers 80.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 13.6 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $338 MSRP).
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,519 vs 4,588).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌240% higher power demand at 51W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1115GRE better than Core i3-7300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-7300 is ahead with a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115GRE pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. Core i3-1115GRE also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115GRE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1115GRE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1115GRE comes in 83.7% more expensive on MSRP at $338 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. Core i3-7300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 80.9% better value on paper (24.6 vs 13.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1115GRE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i3-7300 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1115GRE

The Core i3-1115GRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 4,588 points. Launch price was $338.

Core i3-7300

The Core i3-7300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,519 points. Launch price was $147.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-1115GRE and Core i3-7300 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1115GRE versus 4 GHz on the Core i3-7300 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-7300 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i3-1115GRE uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-7300 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1115GRE scores 4,588 against the Core i3-7300's 4,519 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i3-1115GRE. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115GRE vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7300.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i3-7300
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	4 GHz+82%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,588+2%	4,519
Geekbench 6 Single	1,175	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,233	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1115GRE uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-7300 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-1115GRE versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7300 — the Core i3-1115GRE supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Core i3-1115GRE) vs 16 (Core i3-7300) — the Core i3-7300 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i3-7300
Socket	FCBGA1449	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+33%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i3-1115GRE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-1115GRE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7300). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3-1115GRE) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7300) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7300 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i3-7300
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-1115GRE was priced at $338, while the Core i3-7300 came in at $184. On launch pricing ($338 vs $184), Core i3-7300 was $154 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-1115GRE delivers 13.6 pts/$ vs 24.6 pts/$ for the Core i3-7300 — making the Core i3-7300 the 57.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i3-7300
MSRP	$338	$184-46%
Performance per Dollar	13.6	24.6+81%
Release Date	2020	2017

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