Core i3-7100U vs Core m3-7Y32

Core i3-7100U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Core m3-7Y32

2 Cores4 Thrd4.5 WWMax: 3 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-7100U

2 / 4

2,721

+0.9%

2,697

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 m3-7Y32 is on rank 1090, 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 m3-7Y32

#1078

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3056%

#1079

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3011%

#1080

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2765%

#1081

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2752%

#1082

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2727%

#1084

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2633%

#1085

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2525%

#1086

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2521%

#1087

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2453%

#1090

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1091

Celeron B720

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

99%

#1093

Celeron 847

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

99%

#1094

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#1096

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#1097

Celeron 877

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#1098

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $50

97%

#1099

Core i5-3337U

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1100

Core i5-2450M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

96%

#1101

Core i5-7Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $100

96%

#1102

Core i5-7Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1104

Pentium 997

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

94%

#1105

Pentium A1018

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core m3-7Y32 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-7100U	Core m3-7Y32
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-7100U (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-7100U	Core m3-7Y32
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)

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 m3-7Y32 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7100U and Core m3-7Y32

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 m3-7Y32

The Core m3-7Y32 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,697 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7100U and Core m3-7Y32 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U versus 3 GHz on the Core m3-7Y32 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core m3-7Y32 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). Both are built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-7100U scores 2,721 against the Core m3-7Y32's 2,697 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-7100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U vs 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y32.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core m3-7Y32
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3 GHz+25%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+118%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,721	2,697
Geekbench 6 Single	841	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-7Y32 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Core m3-7Y32
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1515
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 m3-7Y32). The Core i3-7100U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Core m3-7Y32 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.