Core i3-7101E vs Core i7-1068G7

Intel

Core i3-7101E

2 Cores4 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Core i7-1068G7

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019

Core i3-7101E vs Core i7-1068G7 Performance Spectrum

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 i3-7101E vs Core i7-1068G7 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 i7-1068G7: 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

  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i7-1068G7 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1068G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (4,430 vs 4,449).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i7-1068G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌92.9% higher power demand at 54W vs 28W.

Core i7-1068G7

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 28W instead of 54W, a 26W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7101E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1068G7 better than Core i3-7101E?
Yes. Core i7-1068G7 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-1068G7 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-1068G7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-1068G7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-1068G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-7101E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1068G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 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 i7-1068G7 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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 (2016βˆ’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.

Intel

Core i7-1068G7

The Core i7-1068G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,449 points. Launch price was $69.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i3-7101E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-1068G7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads β€” the Core i7-1068G7 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-1068G7 β€” a 5% clock advantage for the Core i7-1068G7 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-7101E uses the Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1068G7 uses Ice Lake (Client) (2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101E scores 4,430 against the Core i7-1068G7's 4,449 β€” a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-1068G7. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7101E vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-1068G7.

FeatureCore i3-7101ECore i7-1068G7
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.1 GHz+5%
Base Clock
3.9 GHz+70%
2.3 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB
8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
10 nm-29%
Architecture
Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019)
Ice Lake (Client) (2019)
PassMark
4,430
4,449
Geekbench 6 Single
1,250
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7101E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1068G7 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-7101ECore i7-1068G7
Socket
LGA1151
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
Yes
β€”
PCIe Lanes
16
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7101E) / not specified (Core i7-1068G7). The Core i3-7101E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-1068G7 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7101E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-7101E rivals Embedded Ryzen V1000.

FeatureCore i3-7101ECore i7-1068G7
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 630
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
β€”
Target Use
Embedded
β€”