Intel Core i3-4340 vs Intel Core i3-7100H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a remarkably consistent picture across all five Cinebench comparisons. The Intel Core i3-4340 wins every single head-to-head test, yet the margins are uniformly narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-4340 scores 300 against the i3-7100H's 295, a 1.7% advantage. That same 1.7% delta repeats identically across Cinebench R20 multi-core (1252 versus 1231), R20 single-core (176 versus 173), R23 multi-core (2983 versus 2932), and R23 single-core (421 versus 414). The i3-4340 claims all five wins, while the i3-7100H records zero.

What does a 1.7% edge mean in practical terms? For single-threaded workloads, the i3-4340's 421 points in R23 single-core versus 414 for the i3-7100H is essentially a rounding error in daily use. Both chips deliver comparable responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks. The multi-core results tell the same story: 2983 versus 2932 in R23 is a 51-point gap, which in the database's scoring system places these two processors in the same performance tier.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this parity. The i3-4340 carries an average score of 1026, while the i3-7100H sits at 1009. The nearest rivals for the i3-4340 include the Intel Processor N150 at 1025 (a 0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i7-5650U at 1027 (a -0.1% delta). For the i3-7100H, the Intel Processor N100 at 1007 is just 0.2% behind, and the Intel Core i7-2675QM at 1012 is 0.3% ahead. Both chips cluster around the same neighborhood of the database, with both holding a 28th percentile position versus all CPUs.

The consistency of the 1.7% delta across every test is notable. It suggests a fixed architectural advantage rather than workload-specific behavior. The i3-4340's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz against the i3-7100H's 2.80 GHz likely drives this uniform edge, though neither chip boosts, as both have no boost clock listed. The result is a predictable, if modest, victory for the older desktop part in every measured scenario.

The Verdict

The data does not support a dramatic separation between these two processors. The Intel Core i3-4340 wins all five benchmark comparisons, but the 1.7% margins are too small to constitute a meaningful performance class difference. In the database's percentile ranking, both sit at exactly the 28th percentile against all CPUs. The average scores of 1026 and 1009 place them within 17 points of each other, a gap smaller than the difference to their nearest listed rivals.

For a desktop user with an Intel Socket 1150 platform, the i3-4340 offers a slight edge in every measured workload. Its higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.80 GHz delivers a consistent, if unspectacular, advantage. The i3-4340 also brings a larger 4 MB shared L3 cache compared to the i3-7100H's 3 MB, which may help in cache-sensitive applications, though the benchmark data does not isolate this factor.

For a mobile user on an Intel BGA 1440 platform, the i3-7100H counters with a significantly lower 35 W TDP versus 54 W. That 19 W difference is substantial in a laptop chassis, where thermal headroom and battery life directly impact usability. The i3-7100H also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the i3-4340 is limited to DDR3. The newer Kaby Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process versus the i3-4340's 22 nm node, brings better power efficiency per unit of performance.

The choice hinges on platform and power constraints, not performance. In a desktop where power draw is a secondary concern, the i3-4340's benchmark wins make it the technically faster part. In a laptop where every watt matters, the i3-7100H's efficiency profile makes it the rational pick despite trailing by 1.7% in all tests. Neither chip offers a compelling reason to upgrade from the other if the platform is already established.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras. The i3-4340 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The i3-7100H uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-H variant, on a 14 nm process node, with a smaller die size of 126 mm² and no transistor count listed in the database. The move from 22 nm to 14 nm represents a process shrink that typically improves power efficiency and transistor density.

Cache configuration differs between the two. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) allocations, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i3-4340 at 4 MB versus the i3-7100H's 3 MB. That 1 MB difference could influence performance in workloads with larger working sets, though the benchmark results show only a 1.7% overall gap.

Memory support diverges as well. The i3-4340 supports only DDR3, while the i3-7100H supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, though the database does not list memory bandwidth figures for either. Integrated graphics differ: the i3-4340 pairs with Intel HD 4600, while the i3-7100H carries Intel HD Graphics 630. The newer Kaby Lake iGPU generation generally offers better media capabilities, though the database provides no graphics benchmarks to quantify this.

PCIe support is listed as Gen 3 for both, though the i3-7100H specifies "16 Lanes (CPU only)" while the i3-4340 simply lists "Gen 3" without lane details. Both are locked chips with no unlocked multiplier. Neither supports ECC memory. The i3-4340 targets the desktop segment on Intel Socket 1150, while the i3-7100H targets mobile on Intel BGA 1440. The production status for the i3-7100H is listed as end-of-life, while the i3-4340's status is not provided.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: both have 2 cores and 4 threads. The base clock differs, with the i3-4340 at 3.60 GHz and the i3-7100H at 2.80 GHz. Neither chip has a boost clock, so these base clocks represent their maximum sustained frequencies.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The i3-4340 draws 54 W, while the i3-7100H draws 35 W. The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1150 for the desktop part versus Intel BGA 1440 for the mobile part. The process nodes differ as noted: 22 nm for Haswell, 14 nm for Kaby Lake. Die sizes are 177 mm² and 126 mm² respectively, with the transistor count listed only for the i3-4340 at 1,400 million.

The L3 cache sizes differ at 4 MB for the i3-4340 and 3 MB for the i3-7100H. Memory support is narrower for the i3-4340 (DDR3 only) versus dual DDR3/DDR4 for the i3-7100H. Integrated graphics are HD 4600 versus HD Graphics 630. The market segments are Desktop and Mobile respectively. Release dates are roughly three and a half years apart: the i3-4340 launched in August 2013, while the i3-7100H launched in January 2017. The i3-7100H carries a launch MSRP of $225, while the i3-4340 has no listed launch MSRP. Part numbers are SR1NL for the i3-4340 and SR32T for the i3-7100H.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-4340 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2983 against the i3-7100H's 2932, a 1.7% advantage. The R20 multi-core result is 1252 versus 1231, also a 1.7% lead for the i3-4340.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i3-4340 also leads in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 421 versus 414 for the i3-7100H. The R20 single-core result is 176 versus 173, with the same 1.7% delta favoring the i3-4340.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class?

A: Yes. Both hold a 28th percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database. The i3-4340 has an average benchmark score of 1026, while the i3-7100H averages 1009, a difference of only 17 points.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i3-4340 has a TDP of 54 W, while the i3-7100H has a TDP of 35 W. The i3-7100H consumes 19 W less, which is significant for mobile platforms.

Q: Can these chips be used in the same motherboard?

A: No. The i3-4340 uses Intel Socket 1150, a desktop socket, while the i3-7100H uses Intel BGA 1440, a mobile soldered socket. They are physically incompatible.

Q: Which chip has more cache?

A: The i3-4340 has a 4 MB shared L3 cache, while the i3-7100H has 3 MB shared L3. Both have identical per-core L1 and L2 caches at 64 KB and 256 KB respectively.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The i3-4340 supports only DDR3 memory. The i3-7100H supports both DDR3 and DDR4, giving it more flexibility for system builders.