i3-7100 vs i7-8550U

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-8550U
2017
4 cores / 8 threads, 15 Watt
3.85
+41.5%
Core i3-7100
2017
2 cores / 4 threads, 51 Watt
2.72

Core i7-8550U outperforms Core i3-7100 by a considerable 42% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking14631707
Place by popularitynot in top-10085
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.87
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i3
Power efficiency24.295.05
Architecture codenameKaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
Release date21 August 2017 (7 years ago)3 January 2017 (7 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$409$117

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed1.8 GHz3.9 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.9 GHz
Bus typeOPIDMI 3.0
Bus rate4 GT/s8 GT/s
Multiplier1839
L1 cache64K (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Die size123 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C65 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCBGA1356,FC-BGA1356FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)15 Watt51 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift+no data
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Smart Response+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX-+
Identity Protection++
SGXYes with Intel® MEYes with Intel® ME
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4
Maximum memory size32 GB64 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth38.397 GB/s38.397 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel UHD Graphics 620Intel HD Graphics 630
Max video memory32 GB64 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support++
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hz4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hz4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hz4096x2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.44.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes1216

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-8550U 3.85
+41.5%
i3-7100 2.72

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-8550U 6118
+41.7%
i3-7100 4319

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-8550U 878
i3-7100 1277
+45.4%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-8550U 2622
+4.9%
i3-7100 2500

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.85 2.72
Integrated graphics card 2.67 3.11
Recency 21 August 2017 3 January 2017
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Power consumption (TDP) 15 Watt 51 Watt

i7-8550U has a 41.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 months, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and 240% lower power consumption.

i3-7100, on the other hand, has 16.5% faster integrated GPU.

The Core i7-8550U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-7100 in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i7-8550U is a notebook processor while Core i3-7100 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-8550U and Core i3-7100, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-8550U
Core i7-8550U
Intel Core i3-7100
Core i3-7100

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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