Core i3-7102E vs Pentium B940

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 i3-7102E vs Pentium B940 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 i3-7102E vs Pentium B940: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7102E

2017

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 35W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while Pentium B940 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,599 vs 2,610).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.6 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $91 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 68.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.5 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌40% higher power demand at 35W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7102E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7102E better than Pentium B940?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-7102E is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B940 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i3-7102E also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B940 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i3-7102E is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-7102E comes in 67.9% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium B940 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 68.6% better value on paper (19.5 vs 11.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Core i3-7102E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) and 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7102E vs Pentium B940 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7102E

The Core i3-7102E 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. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,599 points. Launch price was $225.

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7102E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B940's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-7102E versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-7102E. The Core i3-7102E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7102E scores 2,599 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium B940. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7102E vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz+5%	2 GHz
Base Clock	—	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,599	2,610
Cinebench R23 Multi	659	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,962	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-7102E) / not specified (Pentium B940). The Core i3-7102E includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Pentium B940 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	Pentium B940
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7102E was priced at $225, while the Pentium B940 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($225 vs $134), Pentium B940 was $91 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7102E delivers 11.6 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Pentium B940 — making the Pentium B940 the 51.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	Pentium B940
MSRP	$225	$134-40%
Performance per Dollar	11.6	19.5+68%
Release Date	2017	2011

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