Core i3-7101E vs Steam Deck OLED APU

Core i3-7101E vs Steam Deck OLED APU Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7101E

2 / 4

4,430

0.0%

4,457

+0.6%

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 Steam Deck OLED APU 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 Steam Deck OLED APU: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Steam Deck OLED APU needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Steam Deck OLED APU across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,430 vs 4,457).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Steam Deck OLED APU mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2600% higher power demand at 54W vs 2W.

Steam Deck OLED APU

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 2W instead of 54W, a 52W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Steam Deck OLED APU better than Core i3-7101E?

Yes. Steam Deck OLED APU is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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, Steam Deck OLED APU is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.3% 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, Steam Deck OLED APU is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Steam Deck OLED APU is still the much better call for a fresh build. Steam Deck OLED APU comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-7101E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Steam Deck OLED APU makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 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 Steam Deck OLED APU 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.

Steam Deck OLED APU

The Steam Deck OLED APU is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 November 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,457 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7101E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Steam Deck OLED APU offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Steam Deck OLED APU has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7101E versus 3.5 GHz on the Steam Deck OLED APU — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-7101E (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-7101E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Steam Deck OLED APU uses Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101E scores 4,430 against the Steam Deck OLED APU's 4,457 — a 0.6% lead for the Steam Deck OLED APU. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7101E vs 4 MB on the Steam Deck OLED APU.

Feature	Core i3-7101E	Steam Deck OLED APU
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+63%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	14 nm	6 nm-57%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Van Gogh (Custom) (2023)
PassMark	4,430	4,457
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	—

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Advanced Features

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