Intel Core i3-7100 vs Intel Core i5-680 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though modest, advantage for the Intel Core i3-7100 across every shared benchmark. In the five head-to-head comparisons available, the i3-7100 wins all of them, with victories ranging from 2.7% to 3.2%. The largest margin appears in the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the i3-7100 scores 326 against the i5-680's 316, a 3.2% lead. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i3-7100 posts 232 versus 226, a 2.7% difference.

Multi-core performance tells a similar story. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i3-7100 achieves 970 points, while the i5-680 manages 942, a 3% advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the i3-7100 at 2310 against 2243, again a 3% lead. These results indicate that despite both processors featuring two cores and four threads, the newer architecture of the i3-7100 delivers a measurable edge in sustained threaded workloads.

Single-core results reinforce the pattern. Beyond the R23 single-core win, the R20 single-core test shows the i3-7100 at 136 versus 132 for the i5-680, another 3% margin. The consistency of these deltas across different Cinebench versions suggests a stable performance advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly. The i3-7100's base clock of 3.90 GHz, compared to the i5-680's 3.60 GHz base and 3.87 GHz boost, likely contributes to this edge in lightly threaded tasks.

The aggregate benchmark scores align with the head-to-head data. The i3-7100 has an average benchmark score of 781, while the i5-680 sits at 772. Both processors occupy the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing them in the same performance tier overall. The nearest rivals for the i3-7100 include the AMD A10-5800K and Intel Pentium G4520, each with an average score of 778 and a delta of 0.4%. The i5-680's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-3687U at 773, with a delta of -0.1%, and the Intel Celeron G5920 at 775 with a -0.4% delta. This proximity in average scores underscores that the two processors are near-equals in overall capability, with the i3-7100 holding a slight but persistent lead.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-7100 wins every measured benchmark, so the use-case split is straightforward: it is the superior choice for both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks in the database. For users prioritizing raw single-core responsiveness, such as in older games or lightly threaded applications, the i3-7100's 3.90 GHz base clock and its 3.2% single-core R23 advantage make it the stronger option. The i5-680, with a lower base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost of 3.87 GHz, cannot match this in the recorded tests.

In multi-threaded scenarios, such as video encoding or rendering with Cinebench, the i3-7100 again leads by 2.7% to 3% depending on the test version. The i5-680 does have a larger L3 cache at 4 MB shared versus 3 MB shared on the i3-7100, which could theoretically benefit certain cache-sensitive workloads, but the benchmark data does not show any test where this translates into a win. The i5-680's end-of-life production status and older 32 nm process node also suggest diminishing relevance for modern workloads.

For a user deciding between these two based solely on the database records, the i3-7100 is the choice across all measured categories. The i5-680 offers no benchmark victory to point to, and its only distinguishing advantages are historical: a launch MSRP of $294 (stated once per database rules) and a larger shared L3 cache. Neither of these factors appears in the performance scores, and the i5-680's 73 W TDP is higher than the i3-7100's 51 W, indicating greater power draw for worse or equal performance in every recorded test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel's design. The i3-7100 uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the i5-680 uses the Westmere architecture, specifically the Clarkdale codename, on a 32 nm node. This process difference is substantial: 14 nm versus 32 nm, which explains the i3-7100's lower 51 W TDP compared to the i5-680's 73 W. The i5-680 does carry explicit transistor and die size figures in the database, with 382 million transistors and an 81 mm² die, while the i3-7100 has no such figures recorded.

Socket compatibility diverges completely. The i3-7100 fits the Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-680 uses the older Intel Socket 1156. This means they are not interchangeable in any motherboard, and any platform decision effectively locks in one processor or the other. The i3-7100 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-680 supports only DDR3 with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. The i3-7100's memory bandwidth advantage is nearly 80% higher in the recorded specs, which can impact memory-intensive applications even if the CPU cores themselves are closely matched.

PCIe support also differs. The i3-7100 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-680 provides Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe generation offers higher bandwidth per lane, which matters for modern GPUs and NVMe storage. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i3-7100 has Intel HD 630, while the i5-680 has a generic Intel HD. The database does not include graphics benchmark comparisons, but the naming indicates a newer GPU generation on the i3-7100.

Clock speeds show a nuanced picture. The i3-7100 has a base clock of 3.90 GHz with no boost clock recorded, suggesting it runs at a fixed frequency. The i5-680 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.87 GHz. Despite the i5-680's boost capability, it still trails the i3-7100 in every measured benchmark, indicating that the i3-7100's higher sustained clock and architectural efficiency overcome any frequency advantage the i5-680 might claim during boost. Both processors have 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical L1 and L2 cache sizes (64 KB and 256 KB per core respectively). The L3 cache differs: 3 MB shared on the i3-7100 versus 4 MB shared on the i5-680. The i5-680's larger L3 does not translate to a performance win in the recorded tests.

Production status and release dates highlight the generational gap. The i3-7100 was released on 2017-01-02 and is marked as Active production, while the i5-680 was released on 2010-04-18 and is End-of-life. The i3-7100's part number is SR35C, and the i5-680's is SLBTM. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiating factor. ECC memory is not supported on either.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100 has an average benchmark score of 781, while the Intel Core i5-680 has 772. Both sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any benchmark?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i3-7100 scores 326 compared to the i5-680's 316, a 3.2% difference. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, at 2.7% (232 versus 226).

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 2 cores and 4 threads. They also share identical L1 cache (64 KB per core) and L2 cache (256 KB per core) sizes, but the i5-680 has a larger L3 cache at 4 MB shared versus 3 MB shared on the i3-7100.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The i3-7100 supports DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-680 supports DDR3 with 21.3 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two processors?

A: The i3-7100 is marked as Active production, while the i5-680 is End-of-life. The i3-7100 was released on 2017-01-02, and the i5-680 was released on 2010-04-18.

Q: Are there any benchmark wins for the i5-680 over the i3-7100?

A: No. In the five head-to-head benchmarks recorded, the i3-7100 wins all of them, with delta percentages ranging from 2.7% to 3.2%. The i5-680 records zero wins.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Core i3-7100 and the Intel Core i5-680, based solely on the database records:

• Base Clock: The i3-7100 runs at 3.90 GHz; the i5-680 runs at 3.60 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i3-7100 has no boost clock recorded; the i5-680 boosts to 3.87 GHz.
• TDP: The i3-7100 has a 51 W TDP; the i5-680 has a 73 W TDP.
• Socket: The i3-7100 uses Intel Socket 1151; the i5-680 uses Intel Socket 1156.
• Architecture: The i3-7100 is Kaby Lake; the i5-680 is Westmere with the Clarkdale codename.
• Generation: The i3-7100 is listed as Core i3 (Kaby Lake); the i5-680 is Core i5 (Clarkdale).
• Process Node: The i3-7100 uses 14 nm; the i5-680 uses 32 nm.
• Transistors: The i3-7100 has no recorded transistor count; the i5-680 has 382 million.
• Die Size: The i3-7100 has no recorded die size; the i5-680 has 81 mm².
• L3 Cache: The i3-7100 has 3 MB shared; the i5-680 has 4 MB shared.
• Memory Support: The i3-7100 supports DDR4; the i5-680 supports DDR3.
• Memory Bandwidth: The i3-7100 offers 38.4 GB/s; the i5-680 offers 21.3 GB/s.
• PCIe: The i3-7100 is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only); the i5-680 is Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only).
• Integrated Graphics: The i3-7100 has Intel HD 630; the i5-680 has Intel HD.
• Production Status: The i3-7100 is Active; the i5-680 is End-of-life.
• Release Date: The i3-7100 was released on 2017-01-02; the i5-680 was released on 2010-04-18.
• Launch MSRP: The i3-7100 has no launch MSRP recorded; the i5-680 has a launch MSRP of $294.
• Part Number: The i3-7100 is SR35C; the i5-680 is SLBTM.

Both processors share these specs: Intel as manufacturer, 2 cores, 4 threads, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, Desktop market segment, and locked multipliers.