Core i3-7100 vs Core i5-6350HQ
Core i3-7100
Core i5-6350HQ
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i3-7100 is positioned at rank 532 and the Core i5-6350HQ is on rank 1002, so the Core i3-7100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6350HQ
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7100 | Core i5-6350HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake-H (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7100 | Core i5-6350HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7100 and Core i5-6350HQ
Core i3-7100
The Core i3-7100 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 (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: 4,306 points. Launch price was $117.
Core i5-6350HQ
The Core i5-6350HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,255 points. Launch price was $306.
Processing Power
The Core i3-7100 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6350HQ offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6350HQ has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7100 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6350HQ — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-7100 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-7100 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6350HQ uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100 scores 4,306 against the Core i5-6350HQ's 4,255 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-7100. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6350HQ.
| Feature | Core i3-7100 | Core i5-6350HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+22% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.9 GHz+70% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 6 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Skylake-H (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 4,306+1% | 4,255 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 803 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-7100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6350HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i3-7100 | Core i5-6350HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | BGA1440 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6350HQ). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7100) and Iris Pro Graphics 580 (Core i5-6350HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100 targets Desktop, Core i5-6350HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6350HQ rivals FX-9830P.
| Feature | Core i3-7100 | Core i5-6350HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 630 | Iris Pro Graphics 580 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Desktop | High Performance Laptop |
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