Core i7-7660U vs FX-8100

CPU

GPU

Core i7-7660U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 4 GHz2017

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

FX-8100

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2011

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

Core i7-7660U vs FX-8100 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-7660U

2 / 4

4,059

0.0%

4,095

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i7-7660U vs FX-8100 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 i7-7660U vs FX-8100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7660U

2017

Why buy it

✅+41% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus 640, while FX-8100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-8100

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,621 vs 2,285).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core i7-7660U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-7660U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7660U better than FX-8100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8100 is ahead with a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7660U pulls ahead with 41% better Geekbench multi-core. FX-8100 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7660U is the stronger fit. You are getting 41% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-7660U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-7660U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you 41% better Geekbench multi-core. FX-8100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

Core i7-7660U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-7660U vs FX-8100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7660U

The Core i7-7660U 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,059 points. Launch price was $415.

FX-8100

The FX-8100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,095 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-7660U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8100 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8100 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-7660U versus 3.7 GHz on the FX-8100 — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-7660U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-7660U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7660U scores 4,059 against the FX-8100's 4,095 — a 0.9% lead for the FX-8100. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,150 vs 455, a 86.6% lead for the Core i7-7660U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,285 vs 1,621 (34% advantage for the Core i7-7660U). L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-7660U vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8100.

Feature	Core i7-7660U	FX-8100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+8%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB	8 MB+1500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,059	4,095
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,759	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,150+153%	455
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,285+41%	1,621

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7660U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-7660U versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-8100 — the Core i7-7660U supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-7660U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i7-7660U) vs 0 (FX-8100) — the Core i7-7660U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i7-7660U) and AMD 990FX,AMD 970 (FX-8100).

Feature	Core i7-7660U	FX-8100
Socket	BGA1356	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+14%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the FX-8100 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7660U) vs AMD-V (FX-8100). The Core i7-7660U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus 640), while the FX-8100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-7660U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-7660U rivals Core i5-8250U.