Core i3-7100H vs Phenom II X6 1065T

Core i3-7100H vs Phenom II X6 1065T Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7100H

2 / 4

3,450

+1.1%

3,412

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i3-7100H vs Phenom II X6 1065T 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 Phenom II X6 1065T: 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: +3.8% higher average FPS across 29 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Phenom II X6 1065T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).

Phenom II X6 1065T

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7100H across 29 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,412 vs 3,450).
❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Core i3-7100H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W 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 Phenom II X6 1065T?

Yes. Core i3-7100H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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 3.8% more average FPS across 29 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 1.1% 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 $426 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom II X6 1065T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7100H vs Phenom II X6 1065T 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.

Phenom II X6 1065T

The Phenom II X6 1065T is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Thuban (2010) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,412 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7100H packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X6 1065T offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Phenom II X6 1065T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-7100H versus 3.4 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1065T — a 19.4% clock advantage for the Phenom II X6 1065T (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-7100H uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X6 1065T uses Thuban (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100H scores 3,450 against the Phenom II X6 1065T's 3,412 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-7100H. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100H vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X6 1065T.

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Phenom II X6 1065T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.4 GHz+21%
Base Clock	3 GHz+3%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Thuban (2010)
PassMark	3,450+1%	3,412
Geekbench 6 Single	1,011	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X6 1065T uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100H	Phenom II X6 1065T
Socket	BGA1440	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
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 (Phenom II X6 1065T). The Core i3-7100H includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Phenom II X6 1065T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100H rivals Ryzen 3 2300U.