Core i3-7300 vs Steam Deck OLED APU

Core i3-7300 vs Steam Deck OLED APU Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7300

2 / 4

4,519

+1.4%

4,457

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 i3-7300 vs Steam Deck OLED APU 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 i3-7300 vs Steam Deck OLED APU: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7300

2017

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Steam Deck OLED APU needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Steam Deck OLED APU mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2450% higher power demand at 51W vs 2W.

Steam Deck OLED APU

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 51W, a 49W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,457 vs 4,519).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7300 better than Steam Deck OLED APU?

Yes. Core i3-7300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-7300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-7300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $184 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Steam Deck OLED APU makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7300 vs Steam Deck OLED APU Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7300

The Core i3-7300 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,519 points. Launch price was $147.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7300 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 4 GHz on the Core i3-7300 versus 3.5 GHz on the Steam Deck OLED APU — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-7300 (base: 4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-7300 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 i3-7300 scores 4,519 against the Steam Deck OLED APU's 4,457 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i3-7300. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7300 vs 4 MB on the Steam Deck OLED APU.

Feature	Core i3-7300	Steam Deck OLED APU
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+14%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+67%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	14 nm	6 nm-57%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Van Gogh (Custom) (2023)
PassMark	4,519+1%	4,457

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7300) / not specified (Steam Deck OLED APU). The Core i3-7300 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Steam Deck OLED APU requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7300 targets Desktop.