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Intel Core i3-7020U

Intel Core i3-7020U
Intel Core i3-7020U processor review

Intel Core i3-7020U in 2026: Benchmarks, Gaming, and Whether It Is Worth Buying

The Intel Core i3-7020U was released in the second quarter of 2018, when quad-core Core i5-8250U and i7-8550U processors were already available in laptops. The i3-7020U itself had only two cores and four threads, a fixed clock speed of 2.3 GHz, and no Turbo Boost support. As a result, it was one of the slowest members of the Core series even for its time.

In 2026, a laptop with this processor can still be used for documents, browsing, video, and undemanding programs, especially after installing an SSD and 8-16 GB of memory. It no longer offers enough performance for modern games and demanding applications, while the lack of official Windows 11 support further limits the useful life of such devices.

Why the i3-7020U Appeared Only in 2018

In terms of specifications, the Core i3-7020U is very close to the Core i3-7100U, which was released back in 2016. Both use the Kaby Lake architecture, have two cores and four threads, 3 MB of cache, and integrated Intel HD Graphics 620.

The main difference is clock speed. The i3-7100U runs at 2.4 GHz, while the i3-7020U runs at 2.3 GHz. Neither processor has Turbo Boost.

By 2018, Intel was already selling eighth-generation quad-core processors, but budget laptops still needed inexpensive chips. The i3-7020U occupied exactly this market position and became one of the entry-level models in the Core i3 family.

The closely related Pentium Gold 4415U also runs at 2.3 GHz, but it has 2 MB of cache instead of 3 MB and a weaker version of the integrated graphics.

Performance in Real-World Laptops

The Core i3-7020U can be found in the Acer Aspire 3, Lenovo IdeaPad 330, Lenovo V130, Yoga 530, Asus VivoBook 14 and 15, as well as a number of HP and Dell laptops.

Geekbench 6 results show that even laptops with the same processor can differ in performance.

Laptop RAM Geekbench 6 Single Geekbench 6 Multi
HP 15-da0xxx 8 GB, single-channel 786 1585
HP 15q-ds0xxx 8 GB, dual-channel 813 1696
Lenovo V130-15IKB about 11 GB, dual-channel 809 1640

The difference depends on the memory configuration, operating system, background load, and power mode. The processor itself cannot exceed 2.3 GHz.

The average i3-7020U result in the Geekbench 6 database is about 713 points in Single-Core and 1294 in Multi-Core.

Comparison with Other Mobile Processors

PassMark clearly shows how far mobile processors had advanced just a few months after the i3-7020U appeared.

Processor Cores / threads Clock speed PassMark Single PassMark CPU Mark
Core i3-7020U 2 / 4 2.3 GHz 1298 2568
Core i3-7100U 2 / 4 2.4 GHz 1365 2719
Core i3-8130U 2 / 4 2.2-3.4 GHz 1841 3520
Core i3-8145U 2 / 4 2.1-3.9 GHz 2048 3754
Core i5-8250U 4 / 8 1.6-3.4 GHz 1870 5781

Results as of September 2026.

Even the i3-8130U, with the same two cores and four threads, is approximately 37% faster than the i3-7020U in the overall PassMark ranking. The main difference is Turbo Boost of up to 3.4 GHz.

The Core i5-8250U already delivers more than twice the multi-threaded performance. The transition from two to four cores in Intel’s mobile Core lineup was far more important for this generation than minor architectural changes.

In terms of performance, the i3-7020U is even close to some mobile Core i5 processors from the mid-2010s. Its main advantage over older 35-watt processors was energy efficiency rather than speed.

What the i3-7020U Is Good Enough for in 2026

The processor can still handle basic workloads:

  • browsing with a moderate number of tabs;
  • Word, Excel, and Google Docs;
  • email and messaging apps;
  • video calls;
  • video playback;
  • simple educational software;
  • undemanding older applications.

An SSD matters more here than small differences between the processors themselves. A laptop with an i3-7020U, 8 GB of memory, and an SSD feels noticeably faster than a system with the same CPU, 4 GB of memory, and a hard drive.

The processor is no longer sufficient for heavy multitasking. Several modern websites, a video call, and office applications running simultaneously can fully load both cores.

Intel HD Graphics 620 and Gaming

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 is primarily intended for display output and multimedia. Its gaming performance is very low even by the standards of modern integrated GPUs.

In older tests, the HD Graphics 620 delivers about 56 FPS in Dota 2 at the Low preset and about 28 FPS in GTA V at the minimum settings. The specific result depends on the memory and processor, while the i3-7020U further limits performance with its fixed 2.3 GHz clock speed.

A laptop with an i3-7020U can run:

  • Dota 2 at low settings;
  • GTA V at minimum settings, although GTA Online is more demanding;
  • The Sims 4;
  • Minecraft without heavy shaders;
  • Age of Empires II HD;
  • Left 4 Dead 2;
  • Half-Life 2;
  • the original Skyrim.

The situation is worse with newer games. Fortnite, PUBG, Warzone, Forza Horizon 5, and other demanding titles may launch, but you should not expect a stable frame rate. The i3-7020U should not be considered for a modern gaming laptop.

Dual-channel memory noticeably helps the HD Graphics 620 because it does not have dedicated video memory.

4K Video Is Supported, but AV1 Is Not

The HD Graphics 620 can hardware-decode H.264, 10-bit HEVC, and VP9. As a result, playing compatible 4K video does not necessarily place a heavy load on the processor.

There is no hardware AV1 decoding. When a demanding AV1 stream is decoded in software, especially at high resolution, the two i3-7020U cores may become fully loaded. This leads to dropped frames and increased load on the cooling system.

If an old laptop has trouble playing YouTube at high resolution, the problem can sometimes be resolved by disabling AV1 in the browser and using VP9 or H.264 instead.

There is another limitation. Through HDMI, the integrated graphics supports 4K only at 24 Hz. That is sufficient for movies, but the refresh rate is too low for a 4K monitor used for work. 4K at 60 Hz is possible through DisplayPort, which is absent from many budget laptops with this processor.

Windows 11 Is Not Officially Supported

The Core i3-7020U belongs to Intel’s seventh generation and is not included in the official list of processors supported by Windows 11.

Windows 11 can be installed by bypassing the system requirements, and such installations do work. However, Microsoft does not guarantee full support for these configurations, so buying an old laptop specifically for Windows 11 is not advisable.

Regular Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. For home users, Microsoft offers the Extended Security Updates program, which provides critical security updates until October 12, 2027.

ESU gives old laptops additional time, but it does not solve the problem completely. Once the program ends, the owner will have to choose between an unsupported version of Windows, Linux, or replacing the computer.

Linux and ChromeOS Flex

Linux can extend the useful life of an old laptop.

Linux Mint Xfce, Xubuntu, and other relatively lightweight systems are suitable for browsing, documents, video, and studying. Intel integrated graphics have been supported by the Linux kernel for a long time, so a separate driver is usually not required.

Another option is ChromeOS Flex. This system is primarily designed for browsing and web applications. Before installing it, you should check the specific laptop model against the list of certified devices.

How to Speed Up a Laptop with an i3-7020U

The processor cannot be replaced because it is soldered to the motherboard. However, several upgrades can genuinely change how the system behaves.

1. Replace the HDD with an SSD.

This is the most noticeable upgrade for laptops from that generation. Windows and applications start loading much faster.

2. Install at least 8 GB of RAM.

For browsing and modern applications, 4 GB is already too little. If the laptop supports 16 GB and the upgrade is inexpensive, that capacity is more convenient.

3. Use dual-channel mode whenever possible.

This is especially important for the HD Graphics 620, which uses system memory as video memory.

4. Clean the cooling system.

Laptops with this processor are already several years old. Dust in the heatsink and dried-out thermal paste can increase temperatures and noise.

At the same time, the lack of Turbo Boost does not mean that the processor is completely unable to reduce its clock speed when it overheats. The condition of the cooling system still matters.

Is It Worth Buying a Laptop with an i3-7020U Now?

New? No.

Laptops from little-known brands with an i3-7020U, labels such as “2026 New,” Windows 11 Pro, and prices of approximately $250-400 can still be found for sale. A computer with this processor is not worth buying at that price.

The CPU was released in 2018, has only two cores, does not support Turbo Boost, and is not officially compatible with Windows 11.

The situation is different on the used market. A working laptop with an i3-7020U may be worth considering at around $80-100, provided it already has an SSD, at least 8 GB of memory, and a functioning battery.

At a higher price, it is better to look for laptops with at least a Core i5-8250U, a Ryzen 3, or another newer quad-core processor. The difference in speed will be much more noticeable than the differences between individual laptop models based on the i3-7020U.

Before buying, check:

  • the battery condition;
  • whether an SSD is installed;
  • the amount of memory and upgrade options;
  • the display and hinges;
  • whether the charger works;
  • the condition of the cooling system.

Buying a model with 4 GB of memory and an HDD is justified only if the price is very low and an inexpensive upgrade is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Core i3-7020U be replaced with a more powerful processor?

No. The processor uses a BGA package and is soldered to the motherboard.

How much RAM does it support?

The processor’s memory controller supports up to 32 GB. The actual limitation depends on the specific laptop, the number of slots, and the amount of soldered memory.

Can Windows 11 be installed?

Technically, yes, using workarounds. Officially, the Core i3-7020U is not supported by Windows 11.

Is it suitable for studying?

For documents, browsing, video calls, and simple educational software, yes, provided an SSD and at least 8 GB of memory are installed.

Can it run GTA V?

Yes, at minimum settings. With the HD Graphics 620, results are around 30 FPS, but performance may drop in GTA Online because of the weak processor.

Can it run modern games?

It does not offer enough performance for demanding modern games. The main limitations are the HD Graphics 620 and the two CPU cores fixed at 2.3 GHz.

Is it worth adding 16 GB of memory?

If the memory is inexpensive and the laptop is used every day, yes. It will improve multitasking, but it will not make the processor itself faster.

Conclusion

The Intel Core i3-7020U is no longer suitable for buying a new laptop. Its two cores, lack of Turbo Boost, and HD Graphics 620 limit it too severely compared with even newer low-cost processors.

There is no need to throw away an existing laptop because of the processor alone. With an SSD and 8-16 GB of memory, it can still handle documents, browsing, video, video calls, and older games.

On the used market, a reasonable target is up to $80-100 for a working laptop with an SSD and sufficient memory. At a higher price, it is better to move to at least a quad-core Core i5-8250U or a newer platform.

For an i3-7020U owner in 2026, the main question is no longer the processor’s performance itself, but how much longer it is worth investing in the old laptop. If an SSD and sufficient memory are already installed, it can still be used. If you need to buy the laptop, storage, memory, and battery separately, it is more cost-effective to look for a newer model.

CPU Comparison

Compare Core i3-7020U with other CPUs

Please select CPU from the dropdown list.

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Mobile
Launch Date
April 2018
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
i3-7020U
Code Name
Kaby Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
2
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
4
Basic Frequency
2.30 GHz
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.
Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
?
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.
Yes
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
?
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.
Yes
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.
No
Cache
?
CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.
3 MB Intel® Smart Cache
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
FCBGA1356 | FC-BGA1356 | FPBGA1356
Intel AES New Instructions
?
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Yes
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14 nm
TDP
15 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100°C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
3.0
Max Number of PCI Express Lanes
?
A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.
12
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
64-bit
Intel 64
?
Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.
Yes
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
?
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.
Yes
PCI Express Configurations
?
PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.
1x4 | 2x2 | 1x2+2x1 and 4x1

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4-2133 | LPDDR3-1866 | DDR3L-1600
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
32 GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
Bus Speed
4 GT/s
Max Memory Bandwidth
?
Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).
34.1 GB/s
ECC Memory Support
?
ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.
No
Intel Flex Memory Access
Yes

GPU Specifications

GPU Name
Intel® HD Graphics 620
Graphics Base Frequency
?
Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.
300 MHz
Graphics Frequency
?
Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.
1.00 GHz
4K Support
Yes | at 60Hz
Graphics Video Max Memory
32 GB
DirectX Support
?
DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.
12
Max Resolution (DP)
?
Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096x2304@60Hz
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)
?
Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.
4096x2304@60Hz
Max Resolution (HDMI)
?
Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096x2304@24Hz
Number of Displays Supported
3
Graphics Output
?
Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.
eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI
Intel Clear Video HD Technology
?
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.
Yes
Intel Clear Video Technology
Yes
Intel InTru 3D Technology
Yes
OpenGL Support
?
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
4.5
Intel Quick Sync Video
?
Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.
Yes

Miscellaneous

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)
?
Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.
Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2
Execute Disable Bit
?
Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.
Yes
Intel Boot Guard
?
Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.
Yes
Intel OS Guard
Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
728
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
1471
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
582
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
1349
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
1323
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
2574

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core
Core i3-7130U
849 +16.6%
Athlon Gold 3150U
786 +8%
Core i3-7020U
728
Ryzen Embedded R1305G
670 -8%
Xeon E5607
637 -12.5%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
Core i5-3330S
1752 +19.1%
Core i7-2675QM
1591 +8.2%
Core i3-7020U
1471
Core i5-7Y57
1303 -11.4%
Xeon E5-4610
1167 -20.7%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
Core M-5Y71
626 +7.6%
EPYC 7601
601 +3.3%
Core i3-7020U
582
Xeon E5-2640
563 -3.3%
Xeon D-1537
544 -6.5%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
Celeron G5905T
1476 +9.4%
A10-6800K
1408 +4.4%
Core i3-7020U
1349
Xeon E5-4640
1247 -7.6%
Core i3-5010U
1163 -13.8%
Passmark CPU Single Core
A6-5400B
1399 +5.7%
Xeon E5-4669 v4
1366 +3.3%
Core i3-7020U
1323
Core i5-2450M
1281 -3.2%
Xeon D-1537
1225 -7.4%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
Athlon Silver 3050C
2879 +11.8%
A6-9400
2717 +5.6%
Core i3-7020U
2574
Core i5-2540M
2360 -8.3%
Celeron G3930
2233 -13.2%

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