Intel Core i7-990X vs Intel Core i3-7100

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-990X or Intel Core i7-990X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-990X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-990X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.
The Intel Core i3-7100 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2017 and belongs to the 7 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-7100, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-990X Name Intel Core i3-7100
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i3
1 Generation 7
Intel Core i7 900 Group Intel Core i 7000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-990X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-990X is 3.46 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.73 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i3-7100 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-7100 is 3.9 GHz
3.73 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
Yes Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.46 GHz Frequency 3.9 GHz
12 Threads 4
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6 CPU Cores 2
6x Cores 2x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-990X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i3-7100 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-7100 uses the Intel HD Graphics 630, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
-- Release date Q2/2016
-- Direct X 12
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 630
-- Technology 14 nm
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders 192
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 64.0 GB
-- Execution units 24
-- Generation 9.5
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.1 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- VC-1 Decode
-- VP9 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- VP8 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
-- JPEG Decode / Encode
-- AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 24.0 GB distributed across 3 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
3 Memory channels 2
24.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
No AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 38.4 GB/s
DDR3-1066 Memory type DDR3-1600, DDR4-2400
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 51 W watts.
-- Tjunction max 100 °C
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 51 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-990X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i3-7100 is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q1/2017
-- Part Number --
1.5 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Gulftown Architecture Kaby Lake S
32 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 1366 Socket LGA 1151
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
1059 $ Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
12.0 MB L3-Cache 3.0 MB