Core i3-7100 vs Pentium Gold G5620

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 i3-7100 vs Pentium Gold G5620 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 i3-7100 vs Pentium Gold G5620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7100

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 51W instead of 54W, a 3W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Pentium Gold G5620 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5620 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G5620

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,251 vs 4,306).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100 better than Pentium Gold G5620?

Yes. Core i3-7100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-7100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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 i3-7100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-7100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (36.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold G5620 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7100 vs Pentium Gold G5620 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium Gold G5620

The Pentium Gold G5620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 4,251 points. Launch price was $93.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7100 and Pentium Gold G5620 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7100 versus 4 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5620 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5620 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i3-7100 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5620 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100 scores 4,306 against the Pentium Gold G5620's 4,251 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-7100. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G5620.

Feature	Core i3-7100	Pentium Gold G5620
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	4,306+1%	4,251

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-7100	Pentium Gold G5620
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100) / not specified (Pentium Gold G5620). The Core i3-7100 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Pentium Gold G5620 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100 targets Desktop.