Core i3-6157U vs Core i7-870S

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 i3-6157U vs Core i7-870S 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 i3-6157U vs Core i7-870S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6157U

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Graphics 550, while Core i7-870S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌524.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 82W.

Core i7-870S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 82W instead of 512W, a 430W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,765 vs 2,782).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core i3-6157U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6157U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-870S better than Core i3-6157U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-870S is ahead with a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6157U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-870S also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6157U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-870S is the better buy right now. Core i7-870S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-6157U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-6157U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-6157U vs Core i7-870S Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6157U

The Core i3-6157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,782 points. Launch price was $304.

Core i7-870S

The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-6157U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-870S offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-870S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-6157U versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S — a 40% clock advantage for the Core i7-870S (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i3-6157U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-870S uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6157U scores 2,782 against the Core i7-870S's 2,765 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-6157U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6157U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Core i7-870S
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.66 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,782	2,765

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6157U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-870S uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Core i7-870S
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6157U) / not specified (Core i7-870S). The Core i3-6157U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 550), while the Core i7-870S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6157U targets Mobile.