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 i3-7101TE vs Core i3-8145UE 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 i3-7101TE vs Core i3-8145UE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-7101TE

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $164 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 136.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 33.8 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,188 vs 1,218).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Core i3-8145UE

2018

Why buy it

✅+2.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,356 vs 2,368).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8145UE better than Core i3-7101TE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8145UE is ahead with 2.5% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7101TE pulls ahead with 0.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i3-8145UE 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 i3-7101TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8145UE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8145UE comes in 140.2% more expensive on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.5% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. Core i3-7101TE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 136.3% better value on paper (33.8 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i3-8145UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7101TE vs Core i3-8145UE Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-7101TE

The Core i3-7101TE 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,956 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i3-8145UE

The Core i3-8145UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,021 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7101TE and Core i3-8145UE share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-7101TE versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8145UE — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-8145UE (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-7101TE uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-8145UE uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7101TE scores 3,956 against the Core i3-8145UE's 4,021 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i3-8145UE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,188 vs 1,218, a 2.5% lead for the Core i3-8145UE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,368 vs 2,356 (0.5% advantage for the Core i3-7101TE). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7101TE vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8145UE.

Feature	Core i3-7101TE	Core i3-8145UE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.9 GHz+15%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+55%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	3,956	4,021+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,356
Geekbench 6 Single	1,188	1,218+3%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,368	2,356

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7101TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8145UE uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170,B250,H270,Z270 (Core i3-7101TE) and Whiskey Lake (Core i3-8145UE).

Feature	Core i3-7101TE	Core i3-8145UE
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-7101TE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8145UE). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7101TE) and UHD 620 (Core i3-8145UE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8145UE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-8145UE rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.

Feature	Core i3-7101TE	Core i3-8145UE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	UHD 620
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7101TE was priced at $117, while the Core i3-8145UE came in at $281. On launch pricing ($117 vs $281), Core i3-7101TE was $164 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7101TE delivers 33.8 pts/$ vs 14.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-8145UE — making the Core i3-7101TE the 81.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7101TE	Core i3-8145UE
MSRP	$117-58%	$281
Performance per Dollar	33.8+136%	14.3
Release Date	2017	2018

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