Intel Core i3-7100H

The Intel Core i3-7100H is a mobile processor built on the Kaby Lake-H architecture, manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process. It packs two physical cores and four threads, with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a shared 3 MB L3 cache. The chip integrates Intel HD Graphics 630 and supports dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4 memory. With a 35 W TDP and a 27th percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database, it occupies the entry-level tier of the performance spectrum. Its average benchmark score of 1003 places it within a fraction of a percent of several older desktop and mobile i7 and i5 parts, making it a surprisingly competitive part despite its modest specifications.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Cinebench R20 results show a single-core score of 172 and a multi-core score of 1224. The gap between these figures is substantial, indicating that the chip’s four threads provide a meaningful boost over a pure dual-core design. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 411, while the multi-core score reaches 2915. Both test generations confirm the same pattern: the multi-core advantage is real, but the absolute numbers remain low by modern standards. The 27th overall percentile underscores this — the i3-7100H outperforms only about a quarter of all CPUs in the database, so neither single-threaded nor multi-threaded performance is competitive with mainstream desktop parts.

The single-core scores are particularly telling. A Cinebench R23 single-core result of 411 is typical of low-power mobile chips, and it limits the processor’s ability to handle lightly threaded tasks such as legacy applications, some games, and certain productivity tools that rely on a single fast core. The multi-core scores, while higher, are still constrained by the two physical cores. The R23 multi-core figure of 2915 is roughly seven times the single-core number — but the absolute value is far below what modern six- or eight-core processors achieve. This split suggests that the i3-7100H is best suited to workloads that can use multiple threads but do not demand extreme throughput, such as light video playback, web browsing, and office document editing.

When compared to its nearest rivals in the database, the single-thread versus multi-thread behavior becomes more nuanced. The i3-7100H’s average score of 1003 is 0.1% higher than the Intel Core i7-880 and 0.2% higher than the Core i7-965, both of which are older desktop parts. It trails the Core i7-2630QM by 0.3% and the Core i5-2500S by 0.5%. These deltas are negligible, meaning the i3-7100H effectively matches those legacy chips in overall performance. However, the older rivals likely have different core configurations, so the i3-7100H’s efficiency per core and its Hyper-Threading capability allow it to hold its own despite having fewer physical cores.

Who Should Consider It

The i3-7100H is a processor for users with modest computing needs. Its 27th percentile ranking means it falls below the majority of CPUs, so it is not a candidate for high-end gaming, 3D rendering, or heavy video editing. The R23 multi-core score of 2915 is insufficient for sustained multi-threaded creation workloads; tasks like compiling large codebases or exporting long 4K videos would be slow. Similarly, the R23 single-core score of 411 indicates that CPU-bound games, especially those that rely on a single thread, would likely experience frame rate drops or stuttering.

Where the chip does make sense is in everyday office and productivity scenarios. Web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, email, and light multitasking are well within its capabilities. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 handles basic display output and video playback, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in a budget laptop. For students or professionals who primarily use cloud-based tools and standard office suites, the i3-7100H provides adequate performance. It also fits into thin-and-light laptops where the 35 W TDP allows for a compact cooling solution.

That said, the end-of-life production status means this processor is no longer being manufactured. It is only relevant to users who are buying used or refurbished laptops, or who are already using a system based on this chip. For anyone considering a new purchase, the data clearly shows that even the nearest rivals — which are also older parts — offer comparable performance, so there is no advantage to seeking out the i3-7100H specifically. The 2-core, 4-thread configuration is a limiting factor for any future-proofing; software is increasingly optimized for more cores, and the i3-7100H will likely struggle with more demanding applications as time goes on.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 1003 places the i3-7100H in a tight cluster of legacy processors. According to the nearestRivals data, the Intel Core i7-880 scores 1002, the Core i7-965 scores 1001, the Core i7-2630QM scores 1006, and the Core i5-2500S scores 1008. The delta percentages are equally telling: the i3-7100H is 0.1% ahead of the i7-880, 0.2% ahead of the i7-965, 0.3% behind the i7-2630QM, and 0.5% behind the i5-2500S. These differences are within the margin of error for most benchmark runs, meaning the i3-7100H delivers performance that is statistically indistinguishable from those older high-end desktop and mobile parts.

In specific Cinebench tests, the i3-7100H produces a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 293, a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 1224, and a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 172. The Cinebench R23 results are 2915 for multi-core and 411 for single-core. These numbers, when viewed alongside the average score, reinforce the chip’s position as a low-end mobile processor that happens to hold its own against much older hardware. The R23 multi-core score of 2915 is about 7 times the single-core score of 411, but the absolute values are low enough that any modern mid-range laptop CPU would outperform it by a wide margin.

The 27th percentile ranking is a useful summary metric. It means that only 27% of all CPUs in the database score lower than the i3-7100H. This places it in the bottom quarter of the performance distribution, which is consistent with its dual-core design and 2.80 GHz base clock. The lack of a boost clock — the field is null — further limits its ability to react to short bursts of demand. Users who frequently run heavy applications will notice the constraint, while those who stick to light workloads will not.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Core i3-7100H?

A: The TDP is 35 watts.

Q: Does the processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What integrated graphics does the i3-7100H include?

A: It includes Intel HD Graphics 630.

Q: What is the socket type for this processor?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: It supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the production status of the i3-7100H?

A: The production status is end-of-life.

Power and Thermals

The i3-7100H carries a 35 W TDP, which places it in the standard mobile power envelope. This is a modest thermal requirement, and a cooling solution designed for 35 W of heat dissipation is sufficient. The 14 nm process node and 126 mm² die size contribute to the chip’s efficiency, though the 2.80 GHz base clock is not particularly aggressive. Without a boost clock, the processor operates at a constant frequency, which simplifies thermal management in a laptop chassis.

The 35 W TDP class is typical for mainstream ultraportable and thin-and-light laptops. It allows for a compact cooling solution — a single heat pipe and a small fan are often enough — and it keeps the system quiet under typical office workloads. The integrated HD Graphics 630 adds to the thermal load, but it is a low-power GPU that does not require additional cooling beyond the CPU’s solution. Because the processor is end-of-life, no new designs are being built around it, but existing laptops using the i3-7100H should have no trouble keeping temperatures within safe limits during everyday use.

For users who plan to push the processor with sustained multi-threaded tasks, the 35 W TDP may lead to thermal throttling in poorly designed chassis. However, given the low performance ceiling, such scenarios are unlikely to be common. The data suggests that the i3-7100H is best treated as a low-power, entry-level part that prioritizes battery life and portability over raw performance. Its 14 nm process is mature, and the 126 mm² die size is small, which helps keep manufacturing costs down — though the launch MSRP of $225 was relatively high for the performance on offer.