Intel Core i3-7100 vs Intel Core i5-3470

The Intel Core i3-7100 was released in early 2017 as part of the Kaby Lake S architecture and is aimed at users in the entry-level segment.

Manufactured in a 14-nanometer process, the processor has two cores and four threads. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 allows operation without an additional graphics card. In modern benchmarks, the Intel Core i3-7100 achieves higher single-core performance than the comparison model and benefits from a memory bandwidth of 38 GB/s.

It also leads in multi-core performance according to Geekbench 6. In games, the architecture scores points for efficiency, but reaches its limits in computationally intensive titles due to the low number of cores. The low Thermal Design Power results in low power consumption. The price-performance ratio is appropriate for simple office computers and casual gamers.

The Intel Core i5-3470 is based on the Ivy Bridge S architecture and was released in mid-2012 for the mass market.

It is manufactured using the 22-nanometer process and offers four physical cores. With a Level 3 cache of 6 MB, it offers a larger buffer for data. Graphics output is provided via the Intel HD Graphics 2500. In specific tests such as Cinebench R23, the Intel Core i5-3470 achieves higher single-core performance, but falls behind in other modern measurements.

In gaming scenarios, the four real cores offer advantages in load distribution in many applications. Power consumption is slightly higher than the comparison model due to the older manufacturing process. Since the processor is primarily available on the used market, it offers a very cost-effective option for simple systems.