Core i3-7100U vs Core i5-8210Y

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 i5-8210Y 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 i5-8210Y: 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

✅+5.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,721 vs 2,723).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌114.3% higher power demand at 15W vs 7W.

Core i5-8210Y

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 7W instead of 15W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (796 vs 841).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8210Y better than Core i3-7100U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-7100U is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8210Y pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i5-8210Y 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 i5-8210Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i5-8210Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8210Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-8210Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2016), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), 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 i5-8210Y 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 i5-8210Y

The Core i5-8210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,723 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7100U and Core i5-8210Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-8210Y — a 40% clock advantage for the Core i5-8210Y (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-7100U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8210Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100U scores 2,721 against the Core i5-8210Y's 2,723 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-8210Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 841 vs 796, a 5.5% lead for the Core i3-7100U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U vs 4 MB on the Core i5-8210Y.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core i5-8210Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+50%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,721	2,723
Geekbench 6 Single	841+6%	796

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8210Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. The Core i3-7100U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-7100U) vs 10 (Core i5-8210Y) — the Core i3-7100U offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core i5-8210Y
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	LPDDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12+20%	10

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 620 (Core i3-7100U) and UHD Graphics 617 (Core i5-8210Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-8210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; Core i5-8210Y rivals Athlon 3050U.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core i5-8210Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 620	UHD Graphics 617
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Tablet/2-in-1