Core i7-870S vs Core m3-8100Y

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 i7-870S vs Core m3-8100Y 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 i7-870S vs Core m3-8100Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-870S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 82W instead of 512W, a 430W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,765 vs 2,767).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core m3-8100Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core m3-8100Y

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌524.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 82W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-870S better than Core m3-8100Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-870S is ahead with a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-8100Y pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i7-870S 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 m3-8100Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-870S is the better buy right now. Core i7-870S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core m3-8100Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core m3-8100Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-870S vs Core m3-8100Y Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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.