Core i3-7101E vs Pentium Gold G6505

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 Pentium Gold G6505 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 Pentium Gold G6505: 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

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 54W instead of 58W, a 4W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Pentium Gold G6505 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G6505

2021

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,371 vs 4,430).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7101E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7101E better than Pentium Gold G6505?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G6505 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7101E pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Pentium Gold G6505 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7101E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7101E is the better buy right now. Core i3-7101E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium Gold G6505 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Pentium Gold G6505 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Pentium Gold G6505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7101E vs Pentium Gold G6505 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.

Pentium Gold G6505

The Pentium Gold G6505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,371 points. Launch price was $75.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7101E and Pentium Gold G6505 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E versus 4.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6505 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6505 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i3-7101E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6505 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101E scores 4,430 against the Pentium Gold G6505's 4,371 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-7101E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7101E vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6505.

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Pentium Gold G6505
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.2 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.9 GHz	4.2 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	4,430+1%	4,371
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7101E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6505 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Pentium Gold G6505
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7101E) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6505). The Core i3-7101E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Pentium Gold G6505 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7101E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-7101E rivals Embedded Ryzen V1000.