Core i3-7101E vs Core i3-6320
Core i3-7101E
Core i3-6320
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-7101E is positioned at rank 520 and the Core i3-6320 is on rank 630, so the Core i3-7101E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7101E
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6320
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7101E | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7101E | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+43%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
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 Core i3-6320
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.
Core i3-6320
The Core i3-6320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,421 points. Launch price was $157.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-7101E and Core i3-6320 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-6320 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i3-7101E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-6320 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101E scores 4,430 against the Core i3-6320's 4,421 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-7101E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 1,311, a 4.8% lead for the Core i3-6320 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7101E vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6320.
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.9 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 4,430 | 4,421 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 2,853 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,250 | 1,311+5% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,730 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C236,C232,Q170,Q270 (Core i3-7101E) and H110,H170,Z170,Q170,Q150,B150,B250,H270,Z270,Q270,Q250 (Core i3-6320).
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7101E) vs Yes (Core i3-6320). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7101E) and Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6320) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7101E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-7101E rivals Embedded Ryzen V1000.
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 630 | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | Yes |
| Target Use | Embedded | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-7101E launched at $117 MSRP, while the Core i3-6320 debuted at $160. At current prices ($50 vs $35), the Core i3-6320 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7101E delivers 88.6 pts/$ vs 126.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-6320 — making the Core i3-6320 the 35.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $117-27% | $160 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $35-30% |
| Performance per Dollar | 88.6 | 126.3+43% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2015 |
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