Core i3-2100
VS
Core i3-2310E

Core i3-2100 vs Core i3-2310E

Intel

Core i3-2100

2 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core i3-2310E

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-2100 is positioned at rank 885 and the Core i3-2310E is on rank 1130, so the Core i3-2100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2100

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
19654%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
18571%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
13484%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
4062%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
3218%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
2815%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
1612%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
1591%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1449%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1449%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1432%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1394%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1374%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1369%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1356%
#885
Core i3-2100
MSRP: $117|Avg: $10
100%
#886
A8-3800
MSRP: $130|Avg: $40
99%
#887
Pentium E5200
MSRP: $84|Avg: $15
99%
#888
Athlon II X2 235e
MSRP: $69|Avg: $15
99%
#889
Athlon II X2 250e
MSRP: $77|Avg: $15
98%
#890
Core i7-2600S
MSRP: $297|Avg: $99
98%
#891
Athlon II X2 250u
MSRP: $60|Avg: $15
98%
#892
Pentium G6951
MSRP: $89|Avg: $50
98%
#893
Core i3-2125
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
98%
#895
Celeron G1820
MSRP: $110|Avg: $15
97%
#896
Celeron E1600
MSRP: $53|Avg: $10
97%
#897
Athlon II X2 270u
MSRP: $68|Avg: $10
97%
#898
Core i5-4570TE
MSRP: $202|Avg: $40
96%
#899
Core i3-2130
MSRP: $138|Avg: $138
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2310E

#1118
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3578%
#1119
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3526%
#1120
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3237%
#1121
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3222%
#1122
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3192%
#1124
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3083%
#1125
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2956%
#1126
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2951%
#1127
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2872%
#1130
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
100%
#1131
Core i5-2510E
MSRP: $230|Avg: $30
100%
#1132
Core m5-6Y54
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
100%
#1134
Core i3-2330E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $10
99%
#1135
Core i5-4288U
MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A
95%
#1136
Core m3-6Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
95%
#1137
Core i3-2340UE
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
94%
#1138
Core i7-2820QM
MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A
94%
#1139
Core i5-520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
94%
#1141
Celeron 807
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
93%
#1142
Pentium B950
MSRP: $134|Avg: $35
93%
#1143
Celeron 220
MSRP: $42|Avg: $42
93%
#1144
Pentium B960
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-2100 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-2310E in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i3-2100Core i3-2310E
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($10)
⚠️ Higher cost ($20)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-2100 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 50% cheaper ($10 vs $20) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i3-2100Core i3-2310E
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+101%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($10)
⚠️ Higher cost ($20)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2100 and Core i3-2310E

Intel

Core i3-2100

The Core i3-2100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,856 points. Launch price was $73.

Intel

Core i3-2310E

The Core i3-2310E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,845 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2100 and Core i3-2310E share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2100 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2310E — a 38.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-2100 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-2100 scores 1,856 against the Core i3-2310E's 1,845 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-2100. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i3-2100Core i3-2310E
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.1 GHz+48%
2.1 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz+48%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,856
1,845
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2100 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2310E uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-2100Core i3-2310E
Socket
LGA1155
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
1333
Max RAM Capacity
16
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-2100) / true (Core i3-2310E). The Core i3-2310E includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i3-2100 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-2310E rivals Core i3-2330M.

FeatureCore i3-2100Core i3-2310E
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-2100 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Core i3-2310E debuted at $225. At current prices ($10 vs $20), the Core i3-2100 is $10 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2100 delivers 185.6 pts/$ vs 92.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-2310E — making the Core i3-2100 the 67.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-2100Core i3-2310E
MSRP
$117-48%
$225
Avg Price (30d)
$10-50%
$20
Performance per Dollar
185.6+101%
92.3
Release Date
2011
2011