Core i3-6157U vs Core i7-870S

Core i3-6157U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Core i7-870S

4 Cores8 Thrd82 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-6157U

2 / 4

2,782

+0.6%

2,765

0.0%

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 i3-6157U is positioned at rank 630 and the Core i7-870S is on rank 1008, so the Core i3-6157U 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 i3-6157U

#187

Core Ultra 9 288V

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

97%

#188

Core i7-10870H

MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A

97%

#618

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

844%

#619

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

831%

#620

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

763%

#621

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

760%

#622

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

753%

#624

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

727%

#625

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

697%

#626

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

696%

#627

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

677%

#630

Core i3-6157U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#638

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-870S

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

33809%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

31946%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

23195%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6988%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5535%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4842%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2773%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2737%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2492%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2492%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2464%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2398%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2364%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2355%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2333%

#1008

Core i7-870S

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

100%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

99%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

99%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

98%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

98%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

98%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

97%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

96%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

95%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

94%

#1020

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

94%

#1021

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

94%

#1022

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

93%

#1023

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-6157U (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-6157U	Core i7-870S
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-870S (2010) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-6157U	Core i7-870S
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)

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.

Core i3-6157U Benchmark Check

Core i7-870S Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-6157U and Core i7-870S

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.

⚡

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

🧠

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	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

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.