Core i3-7100U vs Opteron 3350 HE

Core i3-7100U vs Opteron 3350 HE Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7100U

2 / 4

2,721

+0.8%

2,699

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i3-7100U vs Opteron 3350 HE 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 Opteron 3350 HE: 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

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 620, while Opteron 3350 HE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 3350 HE, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Opteron 3350 HE

2012

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,699 vs 2,721).
❌200% higher power demand at 45W 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 Opteron 3350 HE?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 3350 HE makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-7100U is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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 0.8% 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 0.8% 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 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7100U vs Opteron 3350 HE 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.

Opteron 3350 HE

The Opteron 3350 HE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Delhi (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,699 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7100U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 3350 HE offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Opteron 3350 HE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U versus 3.8 GHz on the Opteron 3350 HE — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Opteron 3350 HE (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-7100U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 3350 HE uses Delhi (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100U scores 2,721 against the Opteron 3350 HE's 2,699 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-7100U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U vs 8192 kB (total) on the Opteron 3350 HE.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Opteron 3350 HE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+58%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8192 kB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB	4096 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Delhi (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,721	2,699
Geekbench 6 Single	841	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 3350 HE uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	Opteron 3350 HE
Socket	BGA1356	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
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 (Opteron 3350 HE). The Core i3-7100U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Opteron 3350 HE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.