Intel Core i3-7100 vs Intel Core i7-3687U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i3-7100 across all seven head-to-head benchmarks. The most decisive victories come from the Geekbench suite, where the desktop part demonstrates a commanding lead. In Geekbench multicore, the i3-7100 scores 1501 against 1044 for the i7-3687U, a 43.8% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is similarly lopsided: 722 versus 526, a 37.3% gap. These are not marginal differences; they represent a substantial generational and architectural leap in raw throughput.

The Cinebench results tell a more nuanced story. While the i3-7100 wins every Cinebench test, the margins are far tighter than the Geekbench scores suggest. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-7100 posts 232 against 224, a 3.6% lead. The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows 970 versus 937, a 3.5% edge. Cinebench R23 multicore follows the same pattern: 2310 against 2231, again a 3.5% difference. Single-core Cinebench results are equally close: R20 single-core shows 136 versus 132 (3% lead), and R23 single-core shows 326 versus 315 (3.5% lead).

What explains the discrepancy between the Geekbench and Cinebench gaps? The benchmark results indicate that Cinebench workloads, which are heavily threaded and cache-sensitive, allow the i7-3687U's larger 4 MB shared L3 cache to partially compensate for its lower clock speeds. The i3-7100's 3 MB shared L3 is smaller, but its 3.90 GHz base clock provides a significant frequency advantage over the i7-3687U's 2.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. In Geekbench, which tends to favor higher memory bandwidth and newer instruction sets, the i3-7100's DDR4 support and 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth versus DDR3 for the mobile chip become decisive factors.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The i3-7100 averages 781 points across all recorded tests, while the i7-3687U averages 773. Both processors sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar tier in overall performance rankings despite the i3-7100's consistent head-to-head wins. The nearest rivals for the i3-7100 include the AMD A10-5800K (778 average, 0.4% behind), the Intel Pentium G4520 (778, 0.4% behind), and the AMD Athlon X4 760K (777, 0.6% behind). For the i7-3687U, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-680 (772, 0.2% behind), the Intel Core i3-3250T (775, 0.2% ahead), and the Intel Celeron G5920 (775, 0.2% ahead).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100 wins every multi-core test. Its largest multi-core margin is 43.8% in Geekbench multicore (1501 versus 1044), while Cinebench multi-core margins range from 3.5% to 3.6% (R20: 970 versus 937, R23: 2310 versus 2231, R15: 232 versus 224).

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i3-7100 leads in single-core performance as well. Geekbench single-core shows a 37.3% advantage (722 versus 526). Cinebench single-core tests show smaller gaps: R20 single-core is 136 versus 132 (3% lead), and R23 single-core is 326 versus 315 (3.5% lead).

Q: Are these processors similar in overall performance?

A: The average benchmark scores are close: 781 for the i3-7100 and 773 for the i7-3687U, a difference of about 1%. Both sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, indicating they belong to the same general performance class despite the i3-7100 winning every direct comparison.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The i3-7100 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel operation and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-3687U supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel operation, and its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor has a higher clock speed?

A: The i3-7100 has a 3.90 GHz base clock with no boost clock recorded. The i7-3687U has a 2.10 GHz base clock and a 3.30 GHz boost clock. The i3-7100's fixed clock is higher than the i7-3687U's maximum boost.

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

A: Yes, both have 2 cores and 4 threads. However, the i3-7100 has a 3 MB shared L3 cache while the i7-3687U has a 4 MB shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i3-7100 uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the i7-3687U uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink is a major factor in the i3-7100's efficiency and clock speed advantage; the newer 14 nm node allows higher frequencies at reasonable power draw. The i7-3687U's die size is recorded as 118 mm², while the i3-7100's die size is not listed.

Cache configurations differ in an important way. Both processors allocate 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache differs: the i3-7100 has 3 MB shared, while the i7-3687U has 4 MB shared. The larger L3 on the mobile chip partially explains why Cinebench scores are so close despite the i3-7100's higher clocks; more cache can reduce memory stalls in certain threaded workloads.

Integrated graphics also represent a generational shift. The i3-7100 pairs with Intel HD 630 graphics, while the i7-3687U uses Intel HD 4000 graphics. The newer HD 630 supports more modern media features and better driver optimization, though the database does not record specific graphics benchmarks for either chip.

The i3-7100 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-3687U has no recorded PCIe information. This reflects their different market positions: the i3-7100 is designed for desktop systems with discrete GPU expansion, while the i7-3687U is a mobile part soldered to a board with limited expansion options.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification gap is clock speed. The i3-7100 runs at a fixed 3.90 GHz base clock with no boost capability recorded. The i7-3687U starts at 2.10 GHz base and boosts to 3.30 GHz. Even at maximum boost, the mobile chip falls 0.60 GHz short of the desktop chip's base clock.

Power consumption and thermal design differ dramatically. The i3-7100 has a 51 W TDP, while the i7-3687U has a 17 W TDP. This 34 W difference reflects the mobile part's design goals: low power draw for thin laptops and long battery life. The i3-7100's higher TDP enables its sustained high clock speed but requires a more substantial cooling solution.

Socket compatibility is a hard divider. The i3-7100 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket with replaceable processors. The i7-3687U uses Intel BGA 1023, a ball-grid array soldered directly to the motherboard. This means the i7-3687U is not upgradeable without replacing the entire board, while the i3-7100 can be swapped in a compatible desktop motherboard.

Memory support diverges by generation. The i3-7100 uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth; the i7-3687U uses DDR3 with no recorded bandwidth figure. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The newer DDR4 standard offers higher bandwidth and lower latency at equivalent speeds, which contributes to the i3-7100's Geekbench advantage.

Process node and architecture also differ: 14 nm Kaby Lake for the i3-7100 versus 22 nm Ivy Bridge for the i7-3687U. Release dates reflect this gap: the i3-7100 launched in January 2017, while the i7-3687U launched in January 2013, four years earlier. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports user overclocking. ECC memory is not supported by either chip.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear but context-dependent recommendation. For raw performance in a desktop environment, the Intel Core i3-7100 is the superior choice. It wins every recorded benchmark, with particularly large margins in Geekbench tests (43.8% multicore, 37.3% single-core). Its 3.90 GHz base clock, DDR4 memory support, and 14 nm process give it a decisive edge in memory-sensitive and latency-sensitive workloads.

However, the i7-3687U is not without merit. Its 17 W TDP makes it suitable for ultra-portable devices where the i3-7100's 51 W TDP would be impractical. The mobile chip also carries a larger 4 MB L3 cache, which helps it stay competitive in Cinebench workloads (within 3.6% of the i3-7100 in every Cinebench test). If the task is battery-powered mobile computing, the i7-3687U is the only viable option between these two, since the i3-7100 requires a desktop socket and higher power delivery.

The average benchmark scores (781 versus 773) suggest that in pure performance terms, the i3-7100 is about 1% ahead on average. But the head-to-head results show that this average masks significant workload-dependent swings: from 3% in Cinebench single-core to nearly 44% in Geekbench multicore. The i3-7100 is not just faster; it is consistently faster across every test category.

For a desktop builder who needs a reliable dual-core processor with hyper-threading, the i3-7100 offers better performance in every measurable way. For a laptop user who needs the lowest power draw and does not require the i3-7100's memory bandwidth or graphics capabilities, the i7-3687U remains a functional choice, especially given its larger cache for some threaded workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-7100 wins in every benchmark category recorded, but the degree of dominance varies by workload type. Its largest wins come in Geekbench multicore (43.8%) and Geekbench single-core (37.3%), indicating that applications relying on general-purpose integer and floating-point operations, memory latency, and memory bandwidth will see the biggest benefit. The i3-7100's DDR4 support and 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth give it a substantial advantage in memory-bound scenarios.

The i7-3687U's best showings are in Cinebench tests, where it trails by only 3% to 3.6%. Cinebench's rendering workloads are heavily threaded and cache-friendly, and the i7-3687U's 4 MB L3 cache (versus 3 MB on the i3-7100) helps mitigate its clock speed disadvantage. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the margin is just 3.6% (232 versus 224), the closest result in the entire head-to-head set.

Use-case recommendations follow from these patterns. For desktop productivity, content creation with short render bursts, or any workload that benefits from DDR4 memory bandwidth, choose the i3-7100. For mobile computing where power draw is critical, the i7-3687U's 17 W TDP makes it the only sensible pick between these two, even though it loses every performance comparison. Neither processor supports overclocking, so performance is fixed at factory settings.

For budget-conscious builders working with Socket 1151 motherboards, the i3-7100 provides a solid baseline with headroom for future upgrades within the same platform. The i7-3687U's BGA 1023 socket means the processor is permanently attached to the motherboard, so any upgrade requires replacing the entire system. The data does not record production status for the i7-3687U, while the i3-7100 is listed as active, suggesting the desktop part remains available for new systems.