Core i7-870S vs Core m3-8100Y

Core i7-870S

4 Cores8 Thrd82 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2010

Core m3-8100Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-870S

4 / 8

2,765

0.0%

2,767

+0.1%

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 i7-870S is positioned at rank 1008 and the Core m3-8100Y is on rank 383, so the Core m3-8100Y 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 i7-870S

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

33809%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

31946%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

23195%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6988%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5535%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4842%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2773%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2737%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2492%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2492%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2464%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2398%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2364%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2355%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2333%

#1008

Core i7-870S

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

100%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

99%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

99%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

98%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

98%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

98%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

97%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

96%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

95%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

94%

#1020

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

94%

#1021

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

94%

#1022

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

93%

#1023

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core m3-8100Y

#119

Ryzen 7 PRO 250

MSRP: $400|Avg: $380

98%

#371

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

530%

#372

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

522%

#373

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

480%

#374

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

477%

#375

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

473%

#377

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

457%

#378

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

438%

#379

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

437%

#380

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

426%

#383

Core m3-8100Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#391

Core i5-1145GRE

MSRP: $362|Avg: N/A

99%

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 m3-8100Y (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-870S	Core m3-8100Y
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-870S (2010) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-870S	Core m3-8100Y
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 i7-870S Benchmark Check

Core m3-8100Y Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-870S and Core m3-8100Y

Core i7-870S

The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.

Core m3-8100Y

The Core m3-8100Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,767 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-870S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core m3-8100Y offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-870S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S versus 3.4 GHz on the Core m3-8100Y — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-870S (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-870S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core m3-8100Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870S scores 2,765 against the Core m3-8100Y's 2,767 — a 0.1% lead for the Core m3-8100Y. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S vs 4 MB on the Core m3-8100Y.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Core m3-8100Y
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+6%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+142%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,765	2,767

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core m3-8100Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.