Core i3-7100U vs Core i5-5300U

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 i3-7100U vs Core i5-5300U 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 i3-7100U vs Core i5-5300U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7100U

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 620, while Core i5-5300U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-5300U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,709 vs 2,721).
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7100U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100U better than Core i5-5300U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-5300U is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7100U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-7100U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-7100U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 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 i3-7100U vs Core i5-5300U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7100U

The Core i3-7100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,721 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-5300U

The Core i5-5300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,709 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7100U and Core i5-5300U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5300U — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-5300U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-7100U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-5300U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100U scores 2,721 against the Core i5-5300U's 2,709 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-7100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5300U.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core i5-5300U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.9 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+4%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,721	2,709
Geekbench 6 Single	841	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-5300U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core i5-5300U
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U) / not specified (Core i5-5300U). The Core i3-7100U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Core i5-5300U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.