Core i3-7100U vs Core i7-4600U

Core i3-7100U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Core i7-4600U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-7100U

2 / 4

2,721

0.0%

2,720

0.0%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-7100U is positioned at rank 752 and the Core i7-4600U is on rank 753, so the Core i3-7100U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100U

#740

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1078%

#741

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1062%

#742

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

975%

#743

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

971%

#744

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

962%

#746

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

929%

#747

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

891%

#748

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

889%

#749

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

865%

#752

Core i3-7100U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#757

Core i7-11370H

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

100%

#761

Core i3-N300

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

99%

#767

Core i7-1250U

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4600U

#741

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1079%

#742

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1063%

#743

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

976%

#744

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

971%

#745

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

962%

#747

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

929%

#748

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

891%

#749

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

890%

#750

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

866%

#753

Core i7-4600U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#757

Core i7-11370H

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

100%

#761

Core i3-N300

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

99%

#767

Core i7-1250U

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-4600U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-7100U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-7100U	Core i7-4600U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-ULT (2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-7100U	Core i7-4600U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-7100U Benchmark Check

Core i7-4600U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7100U and Core i7-4600U

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 i7-4600U

The Core i7-4600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,720 points. Launch price was $398.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7100U and Core i7-4600U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-4600U — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-4600U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-7100U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4600U uses Haswell-ULT (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100U scores 2,721 against the Core i7-4600U's 2,720 — a 0% lead for the Core i3-7100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4600U.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core i7-4600U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.3 GHz+38%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+14%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Haswell-ULT (2013)
PassMark	2,721	2,720
Geekbench 6 Single	841	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4600U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core i7-4600U
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	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U) / not specified (Core i7-4600U). The Core i3-7100U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-4600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.