Intel Core i3-7100H vs Intel Core i7-2635QM Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data places the Intel Core i7-2635QM ahead of the Intel Core i3-7100H in every recorded head-to-head test. The i7-2635QM wins all five Cinebench comparisons, with margins ranging from 1.9% to 2.3%. The i3-7100H records zero wins in the head-to-head benchmark set.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded workloads, the i7-2635QM is the clear choice. Its four cores and eight threads deliver consistently higher scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. The i7-2635QM also edges out the i3-7100H in single-core performance, making it the better option even for lightly threaded tasks.

The i3-7100H does hold one advantage: a lower 35 W TDP versus 45 W for the i7-2635QM. For systems where thermal headroom or battery life is the primary constraint, the i3-7100H offers a more efficient package. However, the performance gap is small enough that the i7-2635QM remains the stronger processor overall.

The percentile data reinforces this conclusion. The i3-7100H sits at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-2635QM sits at the 27th percentile. Despite the i7-2635QM winning every head-to-head test, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1009 for the i3-7100H and 995 for the i7-2635QM. This suggests the i7-2635QM's advantage is concentrated in the Cinebench suite rather than across all possible workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The i3-7100H uses Kaby Lake-H architecture on a 14 nm process, while the i7-2635QM uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process. This generational gap explains several key differences.

Core configuration differs substantially. The i3-7100H has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-2635QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7-2635QM's doubling of physical cores and threads provides a structural advantage in parallel workloads, which the benchmark results confirm.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i3-7100H has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The i7-2635QM matches the L1 and L2 per-core sizes but doubles the shared L3 to 6 MB. The larger L3 cache likely contributes to the i7-2635QM's slight edge in both multi-core and single-core tests.

Clock speeds show an interesting inversion. The i3-7100H has a base clock of 2.80 GHz with no boost clock listed. The i7-2635QM has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz. Despite the i3-7100H's higher base clock, the i7-2635QM manages to outperform it in single-core tests, likely due to its boost capability and architectural efficiency.

The i7-2635QM has a larger die size at 216 mm² with 1,160 million transistors, compared to the i3-7100H's 126 mm² die. The i7-2635QM also uses a different socket (Intel BGA 1224) than the i3-7100H (Intel BGA 1440), meaning they are not interchangeable in the same motherboard.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-7100H features Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i7-2635QM has Intel HD 3000. The i3-7100H supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i7-2635QM's memory support is not specified in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses and do not support ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2635QM wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its largest margin comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it leads by 2.3%. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it leads by 1.9%. The multi-core margins are consistent at 2% and 2.1% across R15, R20, and R23.

For multi-threaded rendering tasks, the i7-2635QM's four cores and eight threads provide a structural advantage. The benchmark data shows this advantage is real but modest, with the i7-2635QM scoring 301 versus 295 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 1257 versus 1231 in R20 multicore, and 2995 versus 2932 in R23 multicore.

The i3-7100H's wins are not in performance but in efficiency. Its 35 W TDP makes it a more power-conscious option for thin-and-light laptops. The i3-7100H also benefits from a newer architecture (Kaby Lake-H versus Sandy Bridge) and a smaller die size, which may translate to lower manufacturing costs and better thermal characteristics in compact chassis.

The i3-7100H additionally supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, giving system designers more flexibility. The i7-2635QM's memory support is not listed, which limits direct comparison on this front.

For users running lightly threaded applications where single-core speed matters most, the data shows the i7-2635QM still wins. Its single-core scores are 173 versus 177 in R20 and 414 versus 422 in R23, indicating the i3-7100H's higher base clock does not overcome the i7-2635QM's boost capability.

FAQ

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

A: The i7-2635QM is faster in all recorded multi-core tests. It scores 301 versus 295 in Cinebench R15, 1257 versus 1231 in R20, and 2995 versus 2932 in R23, representing margins of 2% to 2.1%.

Q: Does the i3-7100H win any single-core tests?

A: No. The i7-2635QM wins both single-core tests in the head-to-head data, scoring 177 versus 173 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 422 versus 414 in R23 single-core.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i3-7100H has an average benchmark score of 1009, while the i7-2635QM has an average of 995. The i7-2635QM's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2920XM and AMD Opteron 4226, both with scores of 995.

Q: What is the core and thread difference?

A: The i3-7100H has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-2635QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. This gives the i7-2635QM double the physical cores and double the threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-2635QM has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, twice the 3 MB shared L3 found in the i3-7100H.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i3-7100H has a TDP of 35 W, while the i7-2635QM has a TDP of 45 W. The i3-7100H is the more power-efficient option.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a consistent pattern: the i7-2635QM wins all five tests, but by narrow margins. The largest difference is 2.3% in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i7-2635QM scores 177 against the i3-7100H's 173.

Cinebench R15 multicore results show the i7-2635QM scoring 301 versus 295 for the i3-7100H, a 2% difference. This test is notable because it is the closest multi-core result in the set, with only 6 points separating the two processors.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows a slightly larger gap. The i7-2635QM scores 1257, while the i3-7100H scores 1231, a 26-point difference representing 2.1%. The R23 multicore test follows a similar pattern: 2995 for the i7-2635QM versus 2932 for the i3-7100H, again a 2.1% margin.

Single-core results follow the same trend. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-2635QM scores 422 against 414 for the i3-7100H, a 1.9% difference. This is the smallest margin in the entire head-to-head set, suggesting the i3-7100H's Kaby Lake architecture nearly closes the gap in lightly threaded workloads.

The i7-2635QM also has additional benchmark data not available for the i3-7100H. In Geekbench, it scores 1371 in multi-core and 442 in single-core. These results are not part of the direct head-to-head comparison but provide context for the i7-2635QM's overall performance profile.

The nearest rival data for each processor places them in similar performance tiers. The i3-7100H's closest competitors include the Intel Processor N100 (avg score 1007, delta 0.2%), the Intel Core i7-2675QM (avg score 1012, delta -0.3%), and the Intel Core i5-10210Y (avg score 1006, delta 0.3%). The i7-2635QM's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2920XM (avg score 995, delta 0%) and the AMD Opteron 4226 (avg score 995, delta 0%).

These rival comparisons show that both processors sit in a crowded performance band. The i3-7100H's 1009 average score and the i7-2635QM's 995 average score are separated by only 1.4%, yet the head-to-head Cinebench results consistently favor the i7-2635QM. This discrepancy suggests the i7-2635QM's advantage is specific to the Cinebench workload, while other types of applications may favor the i3-7100H.

The i7-2635QM's launch date of January 2011 and end-of-life production status place it in an older generation, yet its four-core design remains competitive against the newer dual-core i3-7100H. The i3-7100H, launched in January 2017 with a launch MSRP of $225, offers a more modern architecture but fewer cores. The data shows that for Cinebench workloads, core count and cache size matter more than architectural generation.