CPU Comparison

# Intel Core i3-13100TE vs Intel Core i7-8700B

The Intel Core i3-13100TE and Intel Core i7-8700B are closely matched processors overall, with the newer i3 winning 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks despite having fewer cores and threads. The i3-13100TE edges ahead in Cinebench tests by margins under 1%, while the i7-8700B only wins in Geekbench multicore by 3.9%. However, the i3-13100TE delivers a massive 20.5% single-core advantage in Geekbench, showcasing the generational leap in architecture.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B has 6 cores and 12 threads, compared to 4 cores and 8 threads on the Intel Core i3-13100TE.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i3-13100TE scores 10054 versus 9977 for the i7-8700B, a 0.8% advantage for the i3. Despite having two fewer cores, the i3's newer architecture nearly matches and slightly exceeds the i7's multi-threaded output.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: The i7-8700B has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 4.60 GHz, versus 2.40 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost on the i3-13100TE.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench single-core, where the i3-13100TE scores 1739 versus 1443 for the i7-8700B, a 20.5% lead for the i3.

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: No. The i3-13100TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-8700B supports only DDR4.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i3-13100TE is listed as Active, while the i7-8700B is End-of-life. The i7-8700B had a launch MSRP of $303.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural gap between these two CPUs is stark. The i3-13100TE is built on Raptor Lake architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the i7-8700B uses the older Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process. This process advantage translates directly into efficiency and per-core performance gains for the i3.

The i3-13100TE features a larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core and a substantially larger L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core, compared to 64 KB and 256 KB per core respectively on the i7-8700B. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache, but the i3's larger per-core L2 gives it a significant edge in workloads that benefit from fast local data access.

Memory support differs meaningfully. The i3-13100TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-8700B is limited to DDR4. The i7-8700B does list a memory bandwidth figure of 42.7 GB/s, a spec not provided for the i3. Both use dual-channel memory buses. ECC memory is supported on the i3 but not on the i7.

PCIe capabilities also diverge: the i3-13100TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-8700B provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the i3 a major advantage for future expansion and high-bandwidth peripherals.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the i3-13100TE has UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-8700B has UHD Graphics 630. Socket configurations are completely different, the i3 uses Intel Socket 1700, and the i7 uses Intel BGA 1440, meaning they are not interchangeable in any system.

Die sizes are similar, with the i3 at 163 mm² and the i7 at 154 mm², but the i3 packs more modern features into a slightly larger die. The i3's TDP is 35 W versus 65 W for the i7, making the i3 far more power-efficient despite its newer, denser process node.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i3-13100TE wins 7 of 8 benchmarks, but nearly all of its Cinebench victories are by razor-thin margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3 scores 1013 versus 1005 for the i7, a 0.8% edge. Single-core R15 shows a similar pattern: 142 versus 141, a 0.7% lead. These margins are well within run-to-run variance, indicating the two are effectively tied in this workload.

Cinebench R20 results mirror this trend. The i3 wins multicore with 4222 against 4190 (0.8%) and single-core with 595 against 591 (0.7%). Cinebench R23 continues the pattern: multicore scores are 10054 for the i3 versus 9977 for the i7 (0.8%), while single-core is 1419 versus 1408 (0.8%). Across all Cinebench versions, the i3's advantage is consistent but small, hovering around 0.7-0.8%.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-8700B finally takes a win: 5936 versus 5703 for the i3, a 3.9% advantage. This is the only benchmark where the i7's extra two cores and four threads translate into a decisive lead. The i3's two fewer cores become a measurable handicap in this particular multi-threaded test.

However, in Geekbench single-core, the i3-13100TE delivers its most emphatic victory. It scores 1739 versus 1443 for the i7, a commanding 20.5% lead. This is the single largest performance gap between the two processors in any test and highlights the massive IPC improvement from Raptor Lake over Coffee Lake.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this mixed picture: the i3-13100TE averages 3111 across all benchmarks, while the i7-8700B averages 3086. Both sit at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs, and their nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U, AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS, Intel Xeon W-2133, and others with delta percentages under 1%.

Specification Differences

The specifications where these two processors differ are numerous and significant:

• Cores: 4 (i3) vs 6 (i7)
• Threads: 8 (i3) vs 12 (i7)
• Base Clock: 2.40 GHz (i3) vs 3.20 GHz (i7)
• Boost Clock: 4.10 GHz (i3) vs 4.60 GHz (i7)
• TDP: 35 W (i3) vs 65 W (i7)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 (i3) vs Intel BGA 1440 (i7)
• Architecture: Raptor Lake (i3) vs Coffee Lake (i7)
• Process Node: 10 nm (i3) vs 14 nm (i7)
• Die Size: 163 mm² (i3) vs 154 mm² (i7)
• L1 Cache: 80 KB per core (i3) vs 64 KB per core (i7)
• L2 Cache: 1.25 MB per core (i3) vs 256 KB per core (i7)
• Memory Support: DDR4, DDR5 (i3) vs DDR4 only (i7)
• Memory Bandwidth: Not specified (i3) vs 42.7 GB/s (i7)
• ECC Memory: Yes (i3) vs No (i7)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 Lanes (i3) vs Gen 3, 16 Lanes (i7)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 730 (i3) vs UHD Graphics 630 (i7)
• Production Status: Active (i3) vs End-of-life (i7)
• Release Date: 2023-01-03 (i3) vs 2018-04-02 (i7)
• Launch MSRP: Not available (i3) vs $303 (i7)

Notable similarities include the shared 12 MB L3 cache, dual-channel memory bus, Intel as the foundry for both, and both having locked multipliers. The total L3 cache is identical, which is remarkable given the i3's smaller core count, each i3 core effectively has access to more L3 per core.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear verdict: the Intel Core i3-13100TE is the better overall processor for most use cases. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks and achieves a higher average benchmark score (3111 versus 3086). Its 20.5% single-core advantage in Geekbench is decisive for everyday responsiveness, and its 35 W TDP makes it far more efficient than the 65 W i7-8700B.

The i7-8700B's only victory comes in Geekbench multicore, where its 6-core/12-thread configuration produces a 3.9% advantage. This is a meaningful win for heavily multi-threaded workloads, but it comes at the cost of significantly higher power consumption and older architecture.

The i3-13100TE also offers modern platform features that the i7 cannot match: DDR5 memory support, PCIe Gen 5, ECC memory, and an active production status. The i7-8700B is end-of-life and limited to DDR4 and PCIe Gen 3. For anyone building a new system, the i3-13100TE is the rational choice on performance, efficiency, and platform longevity.

That said, the i3's Cinebench wins are all under 1%, meaning the two processors are effectively tied in those workloads. The i7-8700B remains competitive in multi-threaded rendering tasks, but its age and platform limitations are impossible to ignore.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i3-13100TE wins in:

• Single-core performance: The 20.5% Geekbench single-core lead and consistent (if small) Cinebench single-core wins make the i3 the clear choice for lightly-threaded applications, web browsing, and general desktop responsiveness.
• Power efficiency: At 35 W TDP versus 65 W, the i3 delivers comparable or better performance while drawing roughly half the power budget.
• Modern platform features: DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 5, and ECC memory make the i3 suitable for systems that need future-proofing or reliability features.
• Most multi-core benchmarks: The i3 wins all three Cinebench multicore tests, albeit by margins of 0.8% or less.
• Longevity: An active production status means the i3 will remain available and supported, whereas the i7 is end-of-life.

Intel Core i7-8700B wins in:

• Geekbench multicore: The i7's 5936 score versus 5703 for the i3 (3.9% higher) shows it still has an edge in certain multi-threaded workloads that scale well with core count.
• Raw core count: With 6 cores and 12 threads versus 4 and 8, the i7 has more parallel processing capacity, which can benefit specific heavily-threaded applications.
• Higher clock speeds: The i7's 3.20 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost are higher than the i3's 2.40 GHz and 4.10 GHz, though the i3's newer architecture compensates in actual benchmarks.
• Known memory bandwidth: The i7 specifies 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3 does not list a figure, which may matter for planning memory configurations.
• Existing platform compatibility: For users already on BGA 1440 systems, the i7 is a drop-in option, though this is a niche advantage given its end-of-life status.