Core i3-7101E vs Athlon 220GE
Core i3-7101E
Athlon 220GE
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. The Core i3-7101E is positioned at rank #520 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7101E
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 220GE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7101E | Athlon 220GE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($60) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Zen (2017−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7101E | Athlon 220GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+20%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($60) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7101E and Athlon 220GE
Core i3-7101E
The Core i3-7101E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 4,430 points. Launch price was $117.
Athlon 220GE
The Athlon 220GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,441 points. Launch price was $65.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-7101E and Athlon 220GE share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E versus 3.4 GHz on the Athlon 220GE — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-7101E (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i3-7101E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Athlon 220GE uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101E scores 4,430 against the Athlon 220GE's 4,441 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon 220GE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 886, a 34.1% lead for the Core i3-7101E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7101E vs 4 MB (total) on the Athlon 220GE.
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Athlon 220GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+15% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.9 GHz+15% | 3.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Zen (2017−2020) |
| PassMark | 4,430 | 4,441 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,250+41% | 886 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,023 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-7101E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon 220GE uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-7101E) vs 8 (Athlon 220GE) — the Core i3-7101E offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C236,C232,Q170,Q270 (Core i3-7101E) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Athlon 220GE).
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Athlon 220GE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon 220GE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7101E) vs AMD-V (Athlon 220GE). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7101E) and Radeon Vega 3 (Athlon 220GE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7101E targets Embedded, Athlon 220GE targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7101E rivals Embedded Ryzen V1000; Athlon 220GE rivals Pentium Gold G5400.
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Athlon 220GE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 630 | Radeon Vega 3 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Embedded | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-7101E launched at $117 MSRP, while the Athlon 220GE debuted at $65. At current prices ($50 vs $60), the Core i3-7101E is $10 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7101E delivers 88.6 pts/$ vs 74.0 pts/$ for the Athlon 220GE — making the Core i3-7101E the 17.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Athlon 220GE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $117 | $65-44% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-17% | $60 |
| Performance per Dollar | 88.6+20% | 74.0 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2018 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i3-7101E and Athlon 220GE
