Core i3-7101E vs Core i3-8100H

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 i3-7101E vs Core i3-8100H 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 i3-7101E vs Core i3-8100H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-7101E

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,430 vs 4,435).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i3-8100H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌5300% higher power demand at 54W vs 1W.

Core i3-8100H

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 54W, a 53W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7101E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8100H better than Core i3-7101E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-7101E is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100H pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i3-8100H also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-8100H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8100H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. Core i3-7101E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-8100H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017), 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7101E vs Core i3-8100H Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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 i3-8100H

The Core i3-8100H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,435 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7101E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-8100H offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i3-8100H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E versus 3 GHz on the Core i3-8100H — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-7101E (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-7101E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-8100H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101E scores 4,430 against the Core i3-8100H's 4,435 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-8100H. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7101E vs 6 MB on the Core i3-8100H.

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Core i3-8100H
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+30%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+30%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB	1 MB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,430	4,435
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7101E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8100H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7101E versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-8100H — the Core i3-8100H supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Core i3-8100H
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2666+11%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7101E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100H). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7101E) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-8100H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7101E targets Embedded, Core i3-8100H targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-7101E rivals Embedded Ryzen V1000.