Core i3-7101E vs Phenom II X3 P840

Core i3-7101E vs Phenom II X3 P840 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7101E

2 / 4

4,430

+0.1%

4,425

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 Phenom II X3 P840 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 Phenom II X3 P840: 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: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Phenom II X3 P840 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 P840 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3500% higher power demand at 54W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 P840

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 54W, a 53W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7101E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,425 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 Phenom II X3 P840?

Yes. Core i3-7101E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 i3-7101E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.7% 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 i3-7101E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% 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 $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-7101E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7101E vs Phenom II X3 P840 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.

Phenom II X3 P840

The Phenom II X3 P840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,425 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7101E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 P840 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 P840 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E versus 1.9 GHz on the Phenom II X3 P840 — a 69% clock advantage for the Core i3-7101E. The Core i3-7101E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X3 P840 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101E scores 4,430 against the Phenom II X3 P840's 4,425 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-7101E.

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Phenom II X3 P840
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+105%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	1.5 MB+200%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	4,430	4,425
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7101E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 P840 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Phenom II X3 P840
Socket	LGA1151	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7101E) / not specified (Phenom II X3 P840). The Core i3-7101E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Phenom II X3 P840 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7101E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-7101E rivals Embedded Ryzen V1000.