Core i7-6600U vs Core i3-7100H

Core i7-6600U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015

Core i3-7100H

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-6600U

2 / 4

3,407

0.0%

3,450

+1.3%

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 i7-6600U is positioned at rank 925 and the Core i3-7100H is on rank 522, so the Core i3-7100H offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6600U

#913

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1636%

#914

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1612%

#915

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1480%

#916

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1474%

#917

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1460%

#919

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1410%

#920

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1352%

#921

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1350%

#922

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1313%

#925

Core i7-6600U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#928

A8-6410

MSRP: $100|Avg: $40

99%

#933

Athlon X2 L310

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

97%

#939

FX-7600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

95%

#940

Athlon II M300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100H

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

98%

#510

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

680%

#511

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

670%

#512

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

615%

#513

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

613%

#514

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

607%

#516

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

586%

#517

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

562%

#518

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

561%

#519

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

546%

#522

Core i3-7100H

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-7100H (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-6600U	Core i3-7100H
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-H (2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-6600U (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-6600U	Core i3-7100H
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i7-6600U Benchmark Check

Core i3-7100H Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-6600U and Core i3-7100H

Core i7-6600U

The Core i7-6600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 3,407 points. Launch price was $393.

Core i3-7100H

The Core i3-7100H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,450 points. Launch price was $393.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6600U and Core i3-7100H share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6600U versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-7100H — a 19.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-6600U (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-6600U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7100H uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6600U scores 3,407 against the Core i3-7100H's 3,450 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-7100H. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-6600U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100H.

Feature	Core i7-6600U	Core i3-7100H
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+21%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	3,407	3,450+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,011

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6600U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7100H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6600U	Core i3-7100H
Socket	BGA1356	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-6600U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100H). The Core i3-7100H includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-6600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100H rivals Ryzen 3 2300U.