Core i3-8100 vs Core i7-5700HQ

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 i3-8100 vs Core i7-5700HQ 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 i3-8100 vs Core i7-5700HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-5700HQ needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-5700HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-5700HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i7-5700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Core i7-5700HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,037 vs 6,073).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8100.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8100 better than Core i7-5700HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-5700HQ is ahead with a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-8100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-5700HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (51.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8100 vs Core i7-5700HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100

The Core i3-8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,073 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i7-5700HQ

The Core i7-5700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,037 points. Launch price was $378.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-8100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-5700HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-5700HQ — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-8100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-8100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5700HQ uses Broadwell-H (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100 scores 6,073 against the Core i7-5700HQ's 6,037 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-8100. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i7-5700HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Broadwell-H (2015)
PassMark	6,073	6,037
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,600	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5700HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i7-5700HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100) / not specified (Core i7-5700HQ). The Core i3-8100 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-5700HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100 targets Budget Desktop.