Core i5-3340M vs Core i3-7100U
Core i5-3340M
Core i3-7100U
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 i5-3340M is positioned at rank 59 and the Core i3-7100U is on rank 752, so the Core i5-3340M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3340M
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3340M | Core i3-7100U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3340M | Core i3-7100U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i5-3340M and Core i3-7100U
Core i5-3340M
The Core i5-3340M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,692 points. Launch price was $225.
Core i3-7100U
The Core i3-7100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,721 points. Launch price was $281.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-3340M and Core i3-7100U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-3340M versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U — a 34.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3340M (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-3340M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-7100U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3340M scores 2,692 against the Core i3-7100U's 2,721 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-7100U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3340M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U.
| Feature | Core i5-3340M | Core i3-7100U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz+42% | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+13% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 2,692 | 2,721+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 841 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3340M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7100U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600 on the Core i5-3340M versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-7100U — the Core i3-7100U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3340M) vs 12 (Core i3-7100U) — the Core i5-3340M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-3340M | Core i3-7100U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | BGA1356 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i5-3340M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3340M) and HD Graphics 620 (Core i3-7100U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3340M targets Professional Laptop, Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3340M rivals AMD A10-4600M; Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | Core i5-3340M | Core i3-7100U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | HD Graphics 620 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x / VT-d / EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Professional Laptop | Mainstream Laptop |
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