Intel Core i3-8100 vs Intel Core i7-1065G7 Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-1065G7 dominates the Intel Core i3-8100 in nearly every measurable workload, winning 16 of 17 head-to-head comparisons. The i7-1065G7’s average benchmark score of 8293 slightly edges out the i3-8100’s 8123, and both sit at the 64th percentile among all CPUs. However, the i3-8100 claims one decisive victory in extended instruction throughput, revealing a narrow but real niche where the older desktop part outmuscles the newer mobile chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest performance gap appears in multi-threaded rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i7-1065G7 scores 6866 against the i3-8100’s 3769, a delta of 82.2%. This pattern repeats across all Cinebench versions: R15 multicore shows 691 vs 379 (82.3% ahead), and R20 multicore shows 2883 vs 1582 (82.2% ahead). The i7-1065G7’s 8 threads versus the i3-8100’s 4 threads explain much of this gap, but the margin is larger than thread count alone would suggest.

Single-core Cinebench results tell the same story, though with slightly smaller margins. In R23 single-core, the i7-1065G7 scores 969 versus 532 for the i3-8100, an 82.1% advantage. R20 single-core shows 406 vs 223 (82.1% ahead), and R15 single-core shows 97 vs 53 (83% ahead). This indicates the i7-1065G7’s Ice Lake architecture delivers substantially higher per-clock performance than Coffee Lake, even when boost clocks are considered.

Integer math is another area of massive divergence. PassMark integer math scores 28660 for the i7-1065G7 versus 16191 for the i3-8100, a 77% lead. Data encryption shows the i7-1065G7 at 4552 versus 1828, a 149% advantage — the largest single delta in the entire comparison. Floating-point math also favors the i7-1065G7, with 16603 versus 13774, a 20.5% edge.

Multithreaded PassMark scores reinforce the trend: 8185 for the i7-1065G7 versus 6086 for the i3-8100, a 34.5% lead. Physics simulation shows 589 vs 462, a 27.5% advantage for the i7-1065G7. Even in single-threaded PassMark, the i7-1065G7 wins, scoring 2295 versus 2203, though the margin is a modest 4.2%.

Data compression is closer: 88300 for the i7-1065G7 versus 82992 for the i3-8100, a 6.4% lead. Random string sorting shows 10688 vs 10150, a 5.3% edge. Prime number finding is nearly tied, with 29 vs 27, a 7.4% advantage for the i7-1065G7.

The single defeat for the i7-1065G7 comes in PassMark extended instructions, where the i3-8100 scores 7212 versus 5998, a 16.8% advantage. This is the only benchmark where the i3-8100 wins, and it highlights a specific instruction-set efficiency where the older architecture retains an edge.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-1065G7 is the clear winner for any workload that scales with thread count or benefits from modern architecture efficiency. Rendering, video encoding, and 3D simulation all show substantial advantages, with Cinebench multicore scores being 82% higher across the board. The 149% lead in data encryption suggests the i7-1065G7’s newer instruction set and memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s) provide significant acceleration for cryptographic tasks.

For integer-heavy workloads like compilation or financial modeling, the i7-1065G7’s 77% lead in integer math makes it the obvious choice. Floating-point workloads also favor the i7-1065G7, with a 20.5% advantage that would benefit scientific computing and physics simulations. The 34.5% multithreaded PassMark lead indicates general productivity software running many concurrent tasks will feel noticeably faster on the i7-1065G7.

The i3-8100’s sole victory in extended instructions (16.8% ahead) suggests it handles certain SIMD or specialized instruction sequences more efficiently. This could matter for niche software that relies heavily on specific x86 extensions, where the older Coffee Lake implementation appears more optimized. However, this is a narrow win — the i3-8100 loses every other benchmark, often by wide margins.

For users prioritizing raw single-thread responsiveness, the i7-1065G7 still wins, but only by 4.2% in PassMark single-threaded tests. This is a much smaller gap than the multicore margins, suggesting that for lightly threaded everyday tasks, the difference between the two is less pronounced. Still, the i7-1065G7’s higher boost clock (3.90 GHz versus a fixed 3.60 GHz) and newer architecture give it the edge.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the Intel Core i7-1065G7 is the superior processor for virtually all compute-intensive tasks. Its 82% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 77% lead in integer math are not incremental improvements — they represent a generational leap. The i7-1065G7’s 8 threads versus 4 threads, combined with a 10 nm process node versus 14 nm, delivers performance that the i3-8100 cannot match in any multi-threaded scenario.

Users who need maximum rendering performance, data encryption throughput, or floating-point capability should choose the i7-1065G7 without hesitation. The 149% encryption advantage and 34.5% multithreaded lead make it the only rational choice for these workloads. Even in single-threaded tasks, the i7-1065G7 wins, albeit by a smaller 4.2% margin.

The only scenario where the i3-8100 makes sense is if a workload specifically relies on the extended instruction set where it leads by 16.8%. This is a rare and specialized use case. Additionally, the i3-8100 supports ECC memory, which the i7-1065G7 does not — a feature that could be decisive for certain reliability-critical systems. The i3-8100 also has a higher base clock (3.60 GHz versus 1.30 GHz), which might matter for sustained all-core loads without boost behavior, though the benchmark data shows the i7-1065G7 still wins in sustained multithreaded tests.

For general-purpose use, the i7-1065G7 is the clear pick. Its average benchmark score of 8293 versus 8123, combined with a 16-1 head-to-head record, leaves no doubt. The i3-8100 is end-of-life, while the i7-1065G7 remains active, further reinforcing the recommendation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-1065G7 scores 8293 on average, while the Intel Core i3-8100 scores 8123.

Q: How much faster is the i7-1065G7 in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-1065G7 scores 6866 versus 3769 for the i3-8100, an 82.2% advantage.

Q: Does the i3-8100 win any benchmark against the i7-1065G7?

A: Yes, the i3-8100 wins PassMark extended instructions with a score of 7212 versus 5998, a 16.8% lead.

Q: What is the difference in thread counts between the two processors?

A: The i7-1065G7 has 8 threads, while the i3-8100 has 4 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-1065G7 does not.

Q: How do the two compare in data encryption performance?

A: The i7-1065G7 scores 4552 versus 1828 for the i3-8100, a 149% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel generations and process nodes. The i7-1065G7 uses the Ice Lake architecture (codename Ice Lake-U) built on a 10 nm process, while the i3-8100 uses Coffee Lake on a 14 nm process. The i7-1065G7’s die size is 123 mm², slightly smaller than the i3-8100’s 126 mm², despite the newer node.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i7-1065G7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The i3-8100 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The larger L1 and L3 caches on the i7-1065G7 contribute to its superior single-thread performance.

Integrated graphics differ: the i7-1065G7 features Iris Plus graphics, while the i3-8100 has UHD Graphics 630. The i7-1065G7 also offers higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for the i3-8100. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the i7-1065G7’s newer memory controller delivers better throughput.

The i7-1065G7 is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1526 socket, while the i3-8100 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1151. The i3-8100 supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7-1065G7. PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, but the i3-8100 specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-1065G7 does not specify lane count.

Specification Differences

The most striking difference is TDP: the i7-1065G7 draws 15 W, while the i3-8100 draws 65 W. This makes the i7-1065G7 far more power-efficient, despite delivering higher performance in most benchmarks. Base clocks differ dramatically: the i7-1065G7 runs at 1.30 GHz base with a 3.90 GHz boost, while the i3-8100 has a fixed 3.60 GHz clock with no boost capability.

Thread counts differ: the i7-1065G7 has 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i3-8100 has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores. The i7-1065G7 was released on 2019-07-31 and remains active, while the i3-8100 was released on 2017-10-04 and is end-of-life. The i3-8100 has a launch MSRP of $117; the i7-1065G7 has no listed launch MSRP.

Memory bandwidth favors the i7-1065G7 at 51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. The i7-1065G7’s part number is SRG0N, while the i3-8100’s is SR3N5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-1065G7 targets the mobile market segment, while the i3-8100 targets desktop.