Core i3-7100H vs Core i7-6600U

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 i7-6600U 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 i7-6600U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i7-6600U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Core i7-6600U

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7100H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,407 vs 3,450).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7100H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100H better than Core i7-6600U?

Yes. Core i3-7100H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-7100H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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 i3-7100H 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 i3-7100H still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-7100H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 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 i3-7100H vs Core i7-6600U 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 i7-6600U

The Core i7-6600U 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,407 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7100H and Core i7-6600U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-7100H versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6600U — a 19.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-6600U (base: 3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-7100H uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6600U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100H scores 3,450 against the Core i7-6600U's 3,407 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-7100H. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100H vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6600U.

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Core i7-6600U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.4 GHz+21%
Base Clock	3 GHz+15%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,450+1%	3,407
Geekbench 6 Single	1,011	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6600U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Core i7-6600U
Socket	BGA1440	BGA1356
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, EPT (Core i3-7100H) / not specified (Core i7-6600U). The Core i3-7100H includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-6600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100H rivals Ryzen 3 2300U.