Xeon L3426 vs Core i3-7100U

Xeon L3426

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2009

Core i3-7100U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon L3426

2,742

+0.8%

2,721

0.0%

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 Xeon L3426 is positioned at rank 753 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 Xeon L3426

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

15158%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2862%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2543%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1964%

#435

Xeon Gold 6354

MSRP: $2878|Avg: $2898

100%

#436

Xeon Gold 5218T

MSRP: $1572|Avg: $1349

99%

#437

Xeon 6960P

MSRP: $9625|Avg: $9625

99%

#438

EPYC 9555

MSRP: $9826|Avg: $7973

99%

#439

Xeon Gold 6338

MSRP: $2990|Avg: $1604

98%

#440

Xeon Gold 6538N

MSRP: $3351|Avg: $170

98%

#441

EPYC 7F52

MSRP: $3100|Avg: $1826

97%

#442

EPYC 7542

MSRP: $3400|Avg: $899

97%

#753

Xeon L3426

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#758

Xeon E3-1281 v3

MSRP: $555|Avg: $636

100%

#768

Xeon E3-1270L v4

MSRP: $581|Avg: $636

96%

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 i3-7100U (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon L3426	Core i3-7100U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon L3426 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon L3426	Core i3-7100U
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.

Xeon L3426 Benchmark Check

Core i3-7100U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon L3426 and Core i3-7100U

Xeon L3426

The Xeon L3426 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,742 points. Launch price was $800.

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

The Xeon L3426 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-7100U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon L3426 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon L3426 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Xeon L3426 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-7100U is built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon L3426 scores 2,742 against the Core i3-7100U's 2,721 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon L3426. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon L3426 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U.

Feature	Xeon L3426	Core i3-7100U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+33%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.4 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+167%	3 MB
L2 Cache	—	512 kB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	—	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,742	2,721
Geekbench 6 Single	—	841

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon L3426 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-7100U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon L3426	Core i3-7100U
Socket	LGA1156	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon L3426) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U). The Core i3-7100U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Xeon L3426 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.