Intel Core i3-10105F vs Intel Core i7-7700K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7700K and the Intel Core i3-10105F are both 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors, but they belong to different eras of Intel’s lineup. The recorded data shows a consistent performance gap across every single benchmark in the comparison, with the older i7-7700K taking all 19 head-to-head wins. This analysis breaks down the exact margins, the architectural reasons behind them, and the practical implications for different workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably one-sided. The Intel Core i7-7700K wins every recorded test, though the margin varies significantly depending on the workload. In the Cinebench suite, the i7-7700K leads by 8.7% in both Cinebench R15 multicore (825 vs 759) and Cinebench R20 multicore (3439 vs 3165). The single-core results follow the same pattern: an 8.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (116 vs 107) and an 8.7% edge in Cinebench R20 single-core (485 vs 446). The Cinebench R23 tests confirm the trend, with the i7-7700K scoring 8189 vs 7537 in multicore (8.7% ahead) and 1156 vs 1064 in single-core (8.6% ahead).

Geekbench results show a similar story. The i7-7700K posts a 9.7% advantage in Geekbench multicore (5395 vs 4920) and a 5.2% advantage in Geekbench single-core (1547 vs 1470). The PassMark suite reveals where the largest gaps appear. The biggest single delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i7-7700K scores 31 vs 25, a 24% lead. PassMark physics also shows a substantial gap: 655 vs 571, a 14.7% difference. PassMark data encryption comes in at 3343 vs 3045, a 9.8% edge, and PassMark multithread is 9627 vs 8930, a 7.8% lead.

Other PassMark tests show narrower margins. PassMark integer math gives the i7-7700K a 5.6% lead (30553 vs 28921), and PassMark random string sorting shows 17208 vs 16414, a 4.8% advantage. PassMark data compression is 136852 vs 130647, a 4.7% edge. The smallest gaps are in PassMark floating point math (18741 vs 18166, 3.2% ahead), PassMark single thread (2708 vs 2647, 2.3% ahead), and PassMark extended instructions (8943 vs 8753, 2.2% ahead). The i7-7700K also holds a narrow 2.3% lead in the duplicate PassMark single-thread test (2708 vs 2647).

The overall picture is clear: the i7-7700K outperforms the i3-10105F in every measured category, but the degree of superiority is workload-dependent. The largest deltas appear in prime number calculation and physics simulations, while the smallest appear in instruction-heavy and floating-point tasks.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, but they represent different microarchitectures. The i7-7700K is based on Kaby Lake, while the i3-10105F is based on Comet Lake, specifically the Comet Lake-R revision. Both are manufactured by Intel and share the same per-core cache configuration: 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache differs, however. The i7-7700K has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-10105F has 6 MB. This 2 MB difference in cache capacity is one factor that can influence performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Clock speeds also differ. The i7-7700K has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i3-10105F runs at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The i7-7700K also has an unlocked multiplier, making it more flexible for overclocking, while the i3-10105F has a locked multiplier.

Memory support is similar in type, with both supporting DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, but the memory bandwidth figures differ. The i7-7700K offers 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the i3-10105F offers 42.7 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The sockets differ: the i7-7700K uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i3-10105F uses Intel Socket 1200. The i7-7700K includes integrated graphics in the form of HD 630, while the i3-10105F has no integrated graphics. The i7-7700K has a TDP of 91 W, versus 65 W for the i3-10105F. The i7-7700K was released earlier, in January 2017, while the i3-10105F arrived in March 2021. The i3-10105F carries a launch MSRP of $97. Both processors are listed as currently Active in production status.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the i7-7700K wins in every benchmark category. There are no tests where the i3-10105F takes the lead. The question is not which processor wins, but where the i7-7700K’s advantage is most pronounced and where the two are closest.

The i7-7700K is strongest in workloads that rely on raw integer throughput and physics calculations. The 24% lead in PassMark find prime numbers and the 14.7% lead in PassMark physics are the standout margins. These results suggest that the higher base and boost clocks, combined with the larger L3 cache, give the i7-7700K a clear edge in single-threaded integer-heavy tasks.

The i3-10105F is not without merit. In PassMark extended instructions, the gap narrows to just 2.2% (8943 vs 8753), and in PassMark floating point math the difference is only 3.2% (18741 vs 18166). The i3-10105F also comes close in PassMark single thread, trailing by just 2.3% (2708 vs 2647). These results indicate that in workloads dominated by floating-point math or extended instruction sets, the i3-10105F is nearly competitive.

For buyers considering these two chips, the i7-7700K is the stronger performer across the board. The i3-10105F’s lower TDP of 65 W versus 91 W could be a consideration for systems where power draw matters, but the benchmark data consistently favors the i7-7700K. The i3-10105F’s higher memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s does not translate into a benchmark win in any recorded test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700K has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-10105F has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Q: Does the i3-10105F include integrated graphics?

A: No. The i3-10105F has no integrated graphics, while the i7-7700K includes HD 630 integrated graphics.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i7-7700K has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-10105F has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i7-7700K scores 31 versus 25, a 24% lead.

Q: Are both processors built on the same process node?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, though they use different microarchitectures: Kaby Lake for the i7-7700K and Comet Lake for the i3-10105F.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The i3-10105F has a TDP of 65 W, while the i7-7700K has a TDP of 91 W.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i7-7700K uses the Kaby Lake architecture and the i3-10105F uses Comet Lake, with the latter specifically being the Comet Lake-R revision. The i7-7700K has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the i3-10105F has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The i7-7700K has a TDP of 91 W, while the i3-10105F has a TDP of 65 W.

The sockets differ: Intel Socket 1151 for the i7-7700K and Intel Socket 1200 for the i3-10105F. The i7-7700K has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-10105F has 6 MB. Memory bandwidth also differs: 38.4 GB/s for the i7-7700K versus 42.7 GB/s for the i3-10105F. The i7-7700K includes HD 630 integrated graphics, while the i3-10105F has none. The i7-7700K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i3-10105F is locked. Release dates are January 2017 for the i7-7700K and March 2021 for the i3-10105F. The i3-10105F has a launch MSRP of $97. The part numbers are SR33A for the i7-7700K and SRH8V for the i3-10105F.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i7-7700K is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded. It wins all 19 head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 2.2% in PassMark extended instructions to 24% in PassMark find prime numbers. The i7-7700K also holds a higher percentile ranking relative to all CPUs, sitting at the 68th percentile versus the i3-10105F’s 67th percentile, and its average benchmark score of 13291 exceeds the i3-10105F’s 12644.

Users who prioritize raw performance, particularly in single-threaded tasks and physics-based workloads, should favor the i7-7700K. Its higher clock speeds, larger L3 cache, and unlocked multiplier make it the stronger choice for workloads that benefit from those features. The i3-10105F, by contrast, offers a lower TDP and higher memory bandwidth, but those advantages do not translate into any benchmark wins in the recorded data. For a system where the socket and platform are not already fixed, the i7-7700K is the clear pick based on performance alone. The i3-10105F may still be relevant for builds that require a newer socket or rely on its lower power envelope, but the performance data consistently favors the i7-7700K.