Core i3-7101E vs Steam Deck OLED APU
Core i3-7101E
Steam Deck OLED APU
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 Steam Deck OLED APU is on rank 827, so the Core i3-7101E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7101E
Performance Per Dollar Steam Deck OLED APU
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7101E | Steam Deck OLED APU |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) / 6 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7101E | Steam Deck OLED APU |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7101E and Steam Deck OLED APU
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.
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 | — |
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.
| Feature | Core i3-7101E | Steam Deck OLED APU |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Embedded | — |
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