Core i3-4100M vs Core i7-7Y75

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 i3-4100M vs Core i7-7Y75 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 i3-4100M vs Core i7-7Y75: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4100M

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $168 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $393 MSRP).
✅Delivers 74.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.2 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $393 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-7Y75 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,531 vs 2,534).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌11277.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 4.5W.

Core i7-7Y75

2016

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 11.2 PassMark/$ ($393 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4100M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7Y75 better than Core i3-4100M?

Yes. Core i7-7Y75 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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, Core i7-7Y75 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% 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, Core i7-7Y75 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i7-7Y75 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-7Y75 comes in 74.7% more expensive on MSRP at $393 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-4100M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 74.5% better value on paper (11.2 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

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

Core i7-7Y75 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 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 i3-4100M vs Core i7-7Y75 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4100M

The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i7-7Y75

The Core i7-7Y75 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,534 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4100M and Core i7-7Y75 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-7Y75 — a 36.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-7Y75 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i3-4100M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-7Y75 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100M scores 2,531 against the Core i7-7Y75's 2,534 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-7Y75. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M vs 4 MB on the Core i7-7Y75.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Core i7-7Y75
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+92%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,531	2,534

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7Y75 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Core i7-7Y75
Socket	PGA946	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M) / not specified (Core i7-7Y75). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-7Y75 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Core i7-7Y75
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Mobile	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4100M was priced at $225, while the Core i7-7Y75 came in at $393. On launch pricing ($225 vs $393), Core i3-4100M was $168 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4100M delivers 11.2 pts/$ vs 6.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-7Y75 — making the Core i3-4100M the 54.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Core i7-7Y75
MSRP	$225-43%	$393
Performance per Dollar	11.2+75%	6.4
Release Date	2013	2016

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