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Intel Core i3-7100H

Intel Core i3-7100H in 2025: Is it Worth Buying a Laptop with This Processor?

Despite being released in 2017, the Intel Core i3-7100H can still be found in budget laptops in 2025. This processor has become a symbol of affordable performance, but how relevant is it today? Let’s break it down.

Architecture and Technology: What's Inside?

The Intel Core i3-7100H belongs to the Kaby Lake generation (7th generation) and is manufactured using a 14nm process. Its key specifications include:

- 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading;

- Base clock speed: 3.0 GHz (no turbo mode);

- L3 cache: 3 MB;

- Integrated graphics: Intel HD 630 with a base frequency of 350 MHz and a maximum of 950 MHz.

The Kaby Lake architecture brought optimizations for 4K video (support for HEVC and VP9) and improved energy efficiency compared to previous generations. However, by 2025, the 14nm process looks outdated—modern Intel processors (like 13th and 14th generations) utilize 10nm and 7nm technologies, which enhance performance and reduce heat.

The built-in HD 630 graphics handle basic tasks:

- 4K video playback (but not encoding);

- Working with office applications;

- Low-demand games like Minecraft or Dota 2 on low settings (30-40 FPS).

Power Consumption and TDP: Balancing Power and Heat

The processor's TDP is 35W, typical for mobile H-series CPUs. This means:

- Laptops with such processors require active cooling (fan);

- Devices are rarely ultra-thin—more often, they are models with a 15.6-inch diagonal and weighing over 2 kg.

For comparison: modern Intel U-series processors (like the Core i5-1335U) have a TDP of 15W, allowing for lighter and quieter laptops.

Performance in Real-World Tasks

Geekbench 6 results (926 points in single-core and 1961 in multi-core mode) show that the i3-7100H lags behind modern counterparts but remains functional for basic scenarios.

Office Work

- Microsoft Office, Google Docs: the processor handles documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with no delays. Even with 10+ tabs open in Chrome, performance remains stable.

- Video Calls: Zoom/Teams work adequately, but background blur or AR effects may cause slowdowns.

Multimedia

- Streaming Video: 4K videos on YouTube play smoothly.

- Photo Editors: Lightroom or Photoshop can run, but processing RAW files will take 2-3 times longer than on a Core i5 of the 12th generation.

Gaming

Modern AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Elden Ring are not playable on the i3-7100H, even on minimal settings. However, for indie games or emulators (like Stardew Valley, Hollow Knight), the power is sufficient. More serious gaming will require a discrete graphics card (like the NVIDIA GTX 1650), but even then, the CPU will become a "bottleneck."

Usage Scenarios: Who is the i3-7100H Suitable For?

1. Students—for studying, text processing, and online courses.

2. Office Workers—if tasks do not require heavy software.

3. Older Users—for surfing, emails, and videos.

4. Backup Laptop—as a low-cost secondary device.

Not Suitable For:

- Gamers and streamers.

- Designers, programmers, engineers (CAD, compilers, rendering).

Battery Life: How Long Will It Last?

The average battery life of a laptop with an i3-7100H is 4-5 hours under moderate load (web surfing, YouTube). This is due to the 35W TDP and lack of modern energy-saving technologies. In comparison, laptops based on the Apple M1 (2020) can last up to 15 hours.

Energy efficiency of the CPU is supported by:

- Speed Shift (quick frequency switching);

- C-states (reducing power for inactive cores).

However, these technologies are less efficient than AMD's solutions (Precision Boost) or Intel's 12+ generations (Hybrid Architecture).

Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 3 3300U (2019)

- Pros of AMD: 4 cores/4 threads, Vega 6 graphics (30% more powerful than HD 630).

- Cons: higher prices for used devices.

Apple M1 (2020)

- Pros of Apple: 8 cores, 18-hour battery life, support for neural networks.

- Cons: macOS limits software compatibility.

Intel Core i3-1215U (2022)

- Pros: 6 cores (2 P-cores + 4 E-cores), Iris Xe graphics.

- Cons: laptops with this CPU start at $600.

Conclusion: The i3-7100H falls behind modern models but offers a better price point.

Pros and Cons of Intel Core i3-7100H

Strengths:

- Low cost of laptops (new models priced between $350-450).

- Sufficient power for everyday tasks.

- Proven reliability (architecture without "raw" technologies).

Weaknesses:

- No support for PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6.

- Only 2 physical cores—multitasking is limited.

- High energy consumption for its class.

Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop

If you decide to buy a device with an i3-7100H in 2025, pay attention to:

1. Type of Laptop: choose versatile models (not gaming or ultrabooks). Examples: Lenovo IdeaPad 3, HP 15-dw2000.

2. RAM: at least 8GB (better 12GB for Windows 11).

3. Storage: only SSD (256GB or 512GB). HDD will slow down the system.

4. Screen: Full HD (1920×1080)—HD+ (1366×768) will degrade the experience.

5. Battery: look for models with 45Wh or more (e.g., ASUS VivoBook 15).

Prices: new laptops with the i3-7100H in 2025 are priced between $370-450.

Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i3-7100H is a processor for those seeking a budget-friendly, working laptop. It is suitable for:

- Learning and office work;

- As a second device for trips;

- If the budget is limited to $400.

Key advantages—price and proven stability. However, for $500-600, you can find laptops with more modern CPUs (like the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U) that will provide better performance and battery life. Buy the i3-7100H only if no other options are available.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

January 2017

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.

i3-7100H

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).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

3.00 GHz

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.

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

L3 Cache

3 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1440

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

35 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

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.

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

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

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

Memory Specifications

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

64 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

8 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).

37.5 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

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.

GPU Specifications

GPU Name

Intel® HD Graphics 630

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 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.

950 MHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

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@30Hz

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 (VGA)

N/A

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI

Miscellaneous

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel OS Guard

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

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

926

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

1961

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

641

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

1490

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1668

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

3430

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i5-5287U

1029 +11.1%

Core i5-7200U

978 +5.6%

Core i3-7100H

926

Ryzen 5 3500C

882 -4.8%

Core i7-4578U

821 -11.3%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i5-10210Y

2380 +21.4%

Xeon E5-2418L

2130 +8.6%

Core i3-7100H

1961

Xeon E3-1225 v2

1786 -8.9%

Athlon X4 950

1637 -16.5%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Xeon E3-1220L v2

681 +6.2%

Xeon E5-2685 v3

660 +3%

Core i3-7100H

641

Core i5-2515E

615 -4.1%

Core i7-2960XM

592 -7.6%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon E5-2650

1682 +12.9%

Core i7-6600U

1584 +6.3%

Core i3-7100H

1490

Core i3-3240

1416 -5%

Celeron G3930

1353 -9.2%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Core i5-3330

1719 +3.1%

Pentium G4560T

1697 +1.7%

Core i3-7100H

1668

Core i5-5300U

1633 -2.1%

FX-4350

1606 -3.7%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i3-8145U

3794 +10.6%

Pentium Gold G5600T

3601 +5%

Core i3-7100H

3430

Core i3-10110Y

3269 -4.7%

Athlon Silver 7120U

3100 -9.6%