Core i3-3217UE vs Pentium N3710

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 i3-3217UE vs Pentium N3710 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 i3-3217UE vs Pentium N3710: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3217UE

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium N3710 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium N3710 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,362 vs 1,386).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.1 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
❌750% higher power demand at 17W vs 2W.

Pentium N3710

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $64 less on MSRP ($161 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 8.6 vs 6.1 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 17W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3217UE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3710 better than Core i3-3217UE?

Yes. Pentium N3710 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium N3710 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3710 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N3710 is the better buy right now. Pentium N3710 comes in $64 cheaper on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 42.2% better value on MSRP (8.6 vs 6.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium N3710 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i3-3217UE vs Pentium N3710 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3217UE

The Core i3-3217UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,362 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium N3710

The Pentium N3710 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.56 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,386 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3217UE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium N3710 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3710 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Core i3-3217UE versus 2.56 GHz on the Pentium N3710 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Pentium N3710. The Core i3-3217UE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium N3710 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3217UE scores 1,362 against the Pentium N3710's 1,386 — a 1.7% lead for the Pentium N3710. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3217UE vs 0 kB on the Pentium N3710.

Feature	Core i3-3217UE	Pentium N3710
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.56 GHz+60%
Base Clock	—	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,362	1,386+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	353	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	790	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3217UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium N3710 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3217UE	Pentium N3710
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-3217UE) / not specified (Pentium N3710). The Core i3-3217UE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium N3710 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3217UE targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i3-3217UE	Pentium N3710
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—
Target Use	Embedded	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-3217UE was priced at $225, while the Pentium N3710 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($225 vs $161), Pentium N3710 was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3217UE delivers 6.1 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Pentium N3710 — making the Pentium N3710 the 34.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-3217UE	Pentium N3710
MSRP	$225	$161-28%
Performance per Dollar	6.1	8.6+41%
Release Date	2012	2016

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