Core i3-7100T vs Core i5-7287U

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 i3-7100T vs Core i5-7287U 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 i3-7100T vs Core i5-7287U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7100T

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-7287U.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i5-7287U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 35W vs 28W.

Core i5-7287U

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 35W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,743 vs 3,763).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-7100T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100T better than Core i5-7287U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7287U is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100T pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i5-7287U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7100T is the better buy right now. Core i3-7100T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-7287U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (32.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-7100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i3-7100T vs Core i5-7287U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7100T

The Core i3-7100T 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,763 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i5-7287U

The Core i5-7287U 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,743 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7100T and Core i5-7287U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100T versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-7287U — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-7287U (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). Both are built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-7100T scores 3,763 against the Core i5-7287U's 3,743 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-7100T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100T vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7287U.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	Core i5-7287U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 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 (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,763	3,743
Geekbench 6 Single	1,157	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,500	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7287U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7100T versus 2133 on the Core i5-7287U — the Core i3-7100T supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7100T 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-7100T) vs 12 (Core i5-7287U) — the Core i3-7100T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B250,H270,Z270 (Core i3-7100T) and Kaby Lake-U (Core i5-7287U).

Feature	Core i3-7100T	Core i5-7287U
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100T) vs true (Core i5-7287U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7100T) and Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650 (Core i5-7287U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i5-7287U targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	Core i5-7287U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Mobile