Core i3-7101E vs Core i7-2820QM

Core i3-7101E

2 Cores4 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2017

Core i7-2820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-7101E

2 / 4

4,430

+1.2%

4,379

0.0%

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 i7-2820QM is on rank 1138, so the Core i3-7101E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7101E

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

8233%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

7780%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

5649%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1702%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1348%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1179%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

675%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

667%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

607%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

607%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

600%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

584%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

576%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

573%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

568%

#262

Core i7-8700K

MSRP: $359|Avg: $160

100%

#374

Core i9-13900TE

MSRP: $554|Avg: $554

98%

#375

Ryzen Embedded V2546

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

96%

#520

Core i3-7101E

MSRP: $117|Avg: $50

100%

#522

Athlon II X4 740

MSRP: $71|Avg: $20

100%

#525

Celeron G1840T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $10

99%

#527

Pentium G4500

MSRP: $75|Avg: $34

99%

#528

Athlon X4 740

MSRP: $71|Avg: $71

98%

#529

Xeon E5-2608L v4

MSRP: $363|Avg: $174

98%

#531

Celeron G1610

MSRP: $42|Avg: $5

97%

#532

Core i3-7100

MSRP: $117|Avg: $40

97%

#533

Celeron G1620T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $15

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2820QM

#1126

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3805%

#1127

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3750%

#1128

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3442%

#1129

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3427%

#1130

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3395%

#1132

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3279%

#1133

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3144%

#1134

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3139%

#1135

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3054%

#1138

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

100%

#1139

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1141

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

99%

#1142

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

99%

#1143

Celeron 220

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

99%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

99%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

98%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

98%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

97%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

97%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

96%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

95%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-7101E (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3L-1600, DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-7101E	Core i7-2820QM
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($50)	⚠️ Higher cost ($568)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2820QM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-7101E	Core i7-2820QM
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1049%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($50)	⚠️ Higher cost ($568)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-7101E Benchmark Check

Core i7-2820QM Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7101E and Core i7-2820QM

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 i7-2820QM

The Core i7-2820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7101E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2820QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2820QM — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-7101E (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-7101E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2820QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101E scores 4,430 against the Core i7-2820QM's 4,379 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-7101E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 554, a 77.2% lead for the Core i3-7101E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7101E vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2820QM.

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Core i7-2820QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+15%	3.4 GHz
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-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,430+1%	4,379
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250+126%	554
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,763

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7101E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7101E versus 1600 on the Core i7-2820QM — the Core i7-2820QM supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7101E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C236,C232,Q170,Q270 (Core i3-7101E) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2820QM).

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Core i7-2820QM
Socket	LGA1151	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	1600+39900%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+209715100%	32
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7101E) vs true (Core i7-2820QM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7101E) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2820QM) — 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; Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.