Core i3-7100 vs Core i5-6400: CPU comparison

Performance score

Core i3-7100 2017 · 2/4 cores/threads, 51 W

14.39 +3%

Core i5-6400 2015 · 4/4 cores/threads, 65 W

13.92

Core i3-12100F Core i5-12400F Ryzen 5 7500F Ryzen 7 7800X3D Ryzen 7 9800X3D Core Ultra 7 265K Core i9-14900K Ryzen 9 9950X

By our estimate, Core i3-7100 beats Core i5-6400 by 3%.

Both CPUs use the same socket (LGA1151), so you can swap one for the other on the same board (check BIOS support).

The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.

Real tests

What the test measures

Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.

CPU rendering (Blender)

Core i3-7100

37+16 %

faster than 17% of tested · runs: 1

Core i5-6400

32

faster than 11% of tested · runs: 1

Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.

Overview

	Core i3-7100	Core i5-6400
Score (0–100)	14.39	13.92
Ranking position	480	486
Power efficiency (0–100)	14.75	11.19
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Manufacturer	Intel	Intel
Architecture	Kaby Lake	Skylake
Release date	Q1 2017	Q3 2015

Specifications

	Core i3-7100	Core i5-6400
Cores	2	4
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.9 GHz	2.7 GHz
Boost clock	3.9 GHz	3.3 GHz
L3 cache	3 MB	6 MB
Process node	14 nm	14 nm
Unlocked multiplier	no	no
Integrated graphics	Intel HD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 530
NPU (AI accelerator)	no	no

Compatibility

	Core i3-7100	Core i5-6400
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
TDP	51 W	65 W

Memory and PCI Express

	Core i3-7100	Core i5-6400
Memory type	DDR4-2133/2400	DDR4-1866/2133
Memory channels	2	2
Max memory	64 GB	64 GB
PCI Express version	3.0	3.0
PCIe lanes	16	16

Pros and cons

Core i3-7100

3% higher overall score
18% faster single core
lower TDP: 51 W vs 65 W
newer: released in 2017

Core i5-6400

more cores: 4 vs 2
bigger L3 cache: 6 MB vs 3 MB

Other comparisons

Visitor rating

Questions and comments

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