CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-7100H
Processor N100
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i3-7100H vs Intel Processor N100
The Verdict
The data splits these two mobile processors down clear lines. The Intel Core i3-7100H is the legacy heavyweight, winning the more demanding Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a 14.6% margin. The Intel Processor N100 is the modern efficiency champion, taking the Cinebench R15 multi-core and R23 single-core tests, with the latter being a decisive 54.5% victory. Benchmark results indicate that the i3-7100H is the pick for sustained multi-threaded workloads on older software, while the N100 is the superior choice for everyday responsiveness, single-threaded tasks, and power-constrained systems. The N100 also wins the head-to-head count, 2 to 1.
For users upgrading from a system built around the 2017-era Kaby Lake chip, the N100 offers a massive single-core leap but a regression in the newer R23 multi-core test. The i3-7100H, while end-of-life, still holds an edge in that specific metric. The data suggests the N100 is the better all-rounder for modern, lightweight computing, but the i3-7100H retains a niche for older, heavily threaded applications.
Architecture Differences
The architectural gap between these two is vast, representing a half-decade of Intel design evolution. The Core i3-7100H is built on the 14 nm Kaby Lake-H process with a die size of 126 mm². It features 2 cores and 4 threads, a design classic of the 2017 mobile lineup. Its cache hierarchy is per-core: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a shared 3 MB L3 cache. The N100, in contrast, uses the 10 nm Gracemont architecture (Alder Lake-N generation) and is still in active production. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a larger per-core L1 of 96 KB, a shared 2 MB L2, and a shared 6 MB L3.
The memory and I/O configurations also diverge sharply. The i3-7100H supports DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, a hallmark of its era. The N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5, but only in a single-channel configuration, though it lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. PCIe support differs as well: the i3-7100H offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the N100 offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with the i3-7100H packing the HD Graphics 630 and the N100 featuring UHD Graphics 730. The N100's TDP of 6 watts is a stark contrast to the i3-7100H's 35 watts, indicating a fundamental design philosophy shift toward efficiency.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head data provides a clear picture of two different performance profiles. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Intel Processor N100 scores 401.5 against the i3-7100H's 295, a delta of -26.5% in favor of the N100. This is a substantial win for the newer chip, suggesting its four efficiency cores handle the older benchmark's workload with far greater ease.
However, the tables turn in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Here, the Core i3-7100H scores 2932, beating the N100's 2559.5 by a 14.6% margin. This indicates that the i3-7100H's dual-core, four-thread configuration with higher power draw can sustain performance better under the more demanding R23 workload. This is the i3's single win in the head-to-head, and it is a significant one.
The most lopsided result is in the Cinebench R23 single-core test. The N100 scores 910.5, a massive 54.5% lead over the i3-7100H's 414. This is a generational leap in single-thread performance. The Gracemont cores are dramatically more efficient at executing instructions per clock, making the N100 the clear winner for any application that relies on single-thread speed, such as web browsing, office productivity, and light coding. The overall wins tally confirms this split: the N100 wins 2 out of 3 benchmarks, with its victory in single-core being the most decisive.
Specification Differences
The following table highlights the key specification differences between the two processors, based solely on the data provided.
| Specification | Intel Core i3-7100H | Intel Processor N100 |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Cores | 2 | 4 |
| Threads | 4 | 4 |
| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 100.00 MHz |
| Boost Clock | Not specified | 3.40 GHz |
| TDP | 35 W | 6 W |
| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel BGA 1264 |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |
| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |
| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |
| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |
| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 9 Lanes |
| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 630 | UHD Graphics 730 |
| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |
| Launch MSRP | $225 | $128 |
The N100's base clock of 100.00 MHz is listed as such in the data, but its boost clock of 3.40 GHz is where the real performance lies. The i3-7100H does not have a listed boost clock.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?
A: The Intel Processor N100 is far ahead. In the Cinebench R23 single-core test, it scores 910.5 compared to the Core i3-7100H's 414, a 54.5% advantage.
Q: Is the older Core i3-7100H better at any multi-core task?
A: Yes. In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the Core i3-7100H scores 2932, which is 14.6% higher than the Intel Processor N100's 2559.5.
Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?
A: They are nearly identical. The Core i3-7100H has an average benchmark score of 1009, while the Intel Processor N100 has an average of 1007, a difference of only 0.2%.
Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?
A: The Intel Processor N100 has a TDP of 6 watts, which is significantly lower than the Core i3-7100H's 35 watts.
Q: What generation of technology does each processor represent?
A: The Core i3-7100H is from the Kaby Lake-H generation (2017), built on a 14 nm process. The Intel Processor N100 is from the Alder Lake-N generation (2023), built on a 10 nm process.
Q: Which CPU supports faster memory types?
A: The Intel Processor N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core i3-7100H supports only DDR3 and DDR4.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Processor N100 is the winner for general daily use. Its 54.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core performance makes it far more responsive for tasks like web browsing, document editing, and light application use. The data also shows it wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test by 26.5%, indicating strong performance in older, less demanding multi-threaded applications. Its 6-watt TDP and support for DDR5 memory make it the sensible choice for modern, fanless, or low-power laptops. It also carries the advantage of being an active product with a lower launch MSRP.
The Intel Core i3-7100H has a narrow but important win in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, scoring 14.6% higher than the N100. This suggests it is the better option for users running modern, heavily-threaded workloads that can utilize its dual-core, four-thread design more effectively. Its dual-channel memory support and 16 PCIe lanes also provide a more capable platform for certain legacy tasks. The i3-7100H wins this specific benchmark, but its end-of-life status and 35-watt TDP make it a less compelling choice for new system builds.