Core i3-7100H vs Core i5-2300

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 i3-7100H vs Core i5-2300 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 i3-7100H vs Core i5-2300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7100H

2017

Why buy it

✅+95.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,450 vs 3,475).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2300.

Core i5-2300

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7100H.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (516 vs 1,011).
❌Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while Core i3-7100H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100H better than Core i5-2300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-7100H is ahead with 95.9% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2300 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i5-2300 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i3-7100H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-7100H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you 95.9% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. Core i5-2300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i3-7100H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7100H vs Core i5-2300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7100H

The Core i3-7100H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,450 points. Launch price was $393.

Core i5-2300

The Core i5-2300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,475 points. Launch price was $168.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7100H packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2300 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-7100H versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 — a 10.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2300 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-7100H uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2300 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100H scores 3,450 against the Core i5-2300's 3,475 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-2300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,011 vs 516, a 64.8% lead for the Core i3-7100H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100H vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300.

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Core i5-2300
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,450	3,475
Geekbench 6 Single	1,011+96%	516
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,515

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2300 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7100H versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2300 — the Core i3-7100H supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7100H supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM175,QM175,CM238 (Core i3-7100H) and H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2300).

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Core i5-2300
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100H) vs Yes (Core i5-2300). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7100H) and Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2300) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100H rivals Ryzen 3 2300U.

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Core i5-2300
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Performance Laptop	—