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 i3-6320 vs Core i3-7101E 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 i3-6320 vs Core i3-7101E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6320

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 51W instead of 54W, a 3W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7101E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,421 vs 4,430).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.6 vs 37.9 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Core i3-7101E

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $43 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.9 vs 27.6 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-6320 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-6320.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7101E better than Core i3-6320?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-6320 is ahead with a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7101E pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i3-6320 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7101E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7101E is the better buy right now. Core i3-7101E comes in $43 cheaper on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-6320 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 37.0% better value on MSRP (37.9 vs 27.6 PassMark/$), 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 i3-7101E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) 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 i3-6320 vs Core i3-7101E Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6320

The Core i3-6320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,421 points. Launch price was $157.

Core i3-7101E

The Core i3-7101E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 4,430 points. Launch price was $117.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6320 and Core i3-7101E share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-6320 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i3-6320 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7101E uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6320 scores 4,421 against the Core i3-7101E's 4,430 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-7101E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,311 vs 1,250, a 4.8% lead for the Core i3-6320 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6320 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7101E.

Feature	Core i3-6320	Core i3-7101E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,421	4,430
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,853	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,311+5%	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,730	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6320 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7101E — the Core i3-7101E supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H110,H170,Z170,Q170,Q150,B150,B250,H270,Z270,Q270,Q250 (Core i3-6320) and C236,C232,Q170,Q270 (Core i3-7101E).

Feature	Core i3-6320	Core i3-7101E
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-6320) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7101E). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6320) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7101E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7101E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-7101E rivals Embedded Ryzen V1000.

Feature	Core i3-6320	Core i3-7101E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 530	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6320 was priced at $160, while the Core i3-7101E came in at $117. On launch pricing ($160 vs $117), Core i3-7101E was $43 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6320 delivers 27.6 pts/$ vs 37.9 pts/$ for the Core i3-7101E — making the Core i3-7101E the 31.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6320	Core i3-7101E
MSRP	$160	$117-27%
Performance per Dollar	27.6	37.9+37%
Release Date	2015	2017

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