Core i3-7100H vs Core i7-880

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 i7-880 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 i7-880: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i7-880 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-880 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-880.

Core i7-880

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7100H.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,429 vs 3,450).
❌Launch MSRP is still $583 MSRP, while Core i3-7100H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌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 i7-880?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-880 is ahead with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100H pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-880 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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 $583 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-880 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (5.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7100H vs Core i7-880 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 i7-880

The Core i7-880 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,429 points. Launch price was $583.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7100H packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-880 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-880 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-7100H versus 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-880 — a 28.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-880 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i3-7100H uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-880 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100H scores 3,450 against the Core i7-880's 3,429 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-7100H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,011 vs 507, a 66.4% lead for the Core i3-7100H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100H vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-880.

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Core i7-880
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.73 GHz+33%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.06 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	3,450	3,429
Geekbench 6 Single	1,011+99%	507
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,478

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-880 uses LGA1156 (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 i7-880 — 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 16 GB — 300% 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 P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-880).

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Core i7-880
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 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 i7-880). The Core i3-7100H includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-880 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100H rivals Ryzen 3 2300U.