Core i5-6350HQ vs Core i3-7100
Core i5-6350HQ
Core i3-7100
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 i5-6350HQ is positioned at rank 1002 and the Core i3-7100 is on rank 532, so the Core i3-7100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6350HQ
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6350HQ | Core i3-7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake-H (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6350HQ | Core i3-7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
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 i5-6350HQ and Core i3-7100
Core i5-6350HQ
The Core i5-6350HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,255 points. Launch price was $306.
Core i3-7100
The Core i3-7100 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 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 4,306 points. Launch price was $117.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6350HQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-7100 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6350HQ has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6350HQ versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7100 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-7100 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-6350HQ uses the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7100 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6350HQ scores 4,255 against the Core i3-7100's 4,306 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-7100. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6350HQ vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100.
| Feature | Core i5-6350HQ | Core i3-7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.9 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.9 GHz+70% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total)+100% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake-H (2015−2016) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 4,255 | 4,306+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 803 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-6350HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7100 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i5-6350HQ | Core i3-7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6350HQ) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Pro Graphics 580 (Core i5-6350HQ) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7100) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6350HQ targets High Performance Laptop, Core i3-7100 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6350HQ rivals FX-9830P.
| Feature | Core i5-6350HQ | Core i3-7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Iris Pro Graphics 580 | HD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | High Performance Laptop | Desktop |
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