Core i3-7130U vs FX-8100

Core i3-7130U vs FX-8100 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7130U

2 / 4

4,055

0.0%

Core i7-940XM

Celeron G4950

Pentium Gold G5400T

Pentium Dual Core T3200

4,095

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i3-7130U vs FX-8100 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 i3-7130U vs FX-8100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7130U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 620, while FX-8100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8100 across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,055 vs 4,095).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-8100

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.1% higher average FPS across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core i3-7130U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7130U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8100 better than Core i3-7130U?

Yes. FX-8100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.1% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-8100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.1% more average FPS across 36 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-8100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

FX-8100 is the better buy right now. FX-8100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.1% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-7130U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7130U vs FX-8100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7130U

The Core i3-7130U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,055 points. Launch price was $281.

FX-8100

The FX-8100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,095 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7130U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8100 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8100 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-7130U versus 3.7 GHz on the FX-8100 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the FX-8100 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-7130U uses the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7130U scores 4,055 against the FX-8100's 4,095 — a 1% lead for the FX-8100. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 900 vs 455, a 65.7% lead for the Core i3-7130U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7130U vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8100.

Feature	Core i3-7130U	FX-8100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.7 GHz+37%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB	8 MB+1500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-U (2017)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,055	4,095
Geekbench 6 Single	900+98%	455
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,621

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7130U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-7130U versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-8100 — the Core i3-7130U supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7130U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-7130U) vs 0 (FX-8100) — the Core i3-7130U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-7130U	FX-8100
Socket	BGA1356	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+14%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the FX-8100 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7130U) vs AMD-V (FX-8100). The Core i3-7130U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the FX-8100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7130U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7130U rivals Ryzen 3 3250U.