Core m3-7Y32 vs Core i3-7100U

Core m3-7Y32

2 Cores4 Thrd4.5 WWMax: 3 GHz2017

Core i3-7100U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core m3-7Y32

2 / 4

2,697

0.0%

2,721

+0.9%

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 m3-7Y32 is positioned at rank 1090 and the Core i3-7100U is on rank 752, so the Core i3-7100U 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 m3-7Y32

#1078

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3056%

#1079

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3011%

#1080

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2765%

#1081

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2752%

#1082

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2727%

#1084

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2633%

#1085

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2525%

#1086

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2521%

#1087

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2453%

#1090

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1091

Celeron B720

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

99%

#1093

Celeron 847

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

99%

#1094

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#1096

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#1097

Celeron 877

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#1098

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $50

97%

#1099

Core i5-3337U

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1100

Core i5-2450M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

96%

#1101

Core i5-7Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $100

96%

#1102

Core i5-7Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1104

Pentium 997

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

94%

#1105

Pentium A1018

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100U

#740

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1078%

#741

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1062%

#742

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

975%

#743

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

971%

#744

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

962%

#746

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

929%

#747

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

891%

#748

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

889%

#749

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

865%

#752

Core i3-7100U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#757

Core i7-11370H

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

100%

#761

Core i3-N300

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

99%

#767

Core i7-1250U

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

98%

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 m3-7Y32 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core m3-7Y32	Core i3-7100U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-7100U (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core m3-7Y32	Core i3-7100U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)	✅ 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 m3-7Y32 Benchmark Check

Core i3-7100U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core m3-7Y32 and Core i3-7100U

Core m3-7Y32

The Core m3-7Y32 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,697 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i3-7100U

The Core i3-7100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 2,721 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core m3-7Y32 and Core i3-7100U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core m3-7Y32 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core m3-7Y32 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core m3-7Y32 scores 2,697 against the Core i3-7100U's 2,721 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-7100U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y32 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U.

Feature	Core m3-7Y32	Core i3-7100U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+25%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+118%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,697	2,721
Geekbench 6 Single	—	841

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core m3-7Y32 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7100U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core m3-7Y32	Core i3-7100U
Socket	FCBGA1515	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core m3-7Y32) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U). The Core i3-7100U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Core m3-7Y32 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.