Core i3-7102E vs Pentium B940
Core i3-7102E
Pentium B940
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 i3-7102E is positioned at rank 974 and the Pentium B940 is on rank 895, so the Pentium B940 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7102E
Performance Per Dollar Pentium B940
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7102E | Pentium B940 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($11) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7102E | Pentium B940 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+630%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($11) |
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 i3-7102E and Pentium B940
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.
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 | — |
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 | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-7102E launched at $225 MSRP, while the Pentium B940 debuted at $134. At current prices ($80 vs $11), the Pentium B940 is $69 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7102E delivers 32.5 pts/$ vs 237.3 pts/$ for the Pentium B940 — making the Pentium B940 the 151.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-7102E | Pentium B940 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $134-40% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80 | $11-86% |
| Performance per Dollar | 32.5 | 237.3+630% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2011 |
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