Intel Core i3-7100 Processor

The Intel Core i3-7100 Processor — 2 cores and 4 threads, 3.9 GHz base, 3 MB Intel Smart Cache, 51 W processor base power, LGA1151. Supplied from stock with a 1-year warranty.

The last mainstream dual-core i3

The i3-7100 is the last of the mainstream dual-core i3 chips: two cores with Hyper-Threading at 3.90 GHz, 3 MB of cache, 51 W, launched in Q1 2017 on Kaby Lake. A year later the 8th Generation doubled the cores, which makes this part the end of an era — and, for anyone maintaining 100 or 200 series fleets, the fastest locked drop-in that generation ever got — only the unlocked i3-7350K clocks higher.

The 3.90 GHz clock is high enough that single-threaded office work feels quick; the limitation is thread count once you open several heavy applications at once. Intel HD Graphics 630 added native HEVC 10-bit and VP9 decode over the Skylake engine, so 4K playback and hardware transcoding work without a discrete card — useful for meeting-room and signage machines.

Technical specifications

Instruction set extensions: Intel SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX and AVX2. AVX-512 is not present on this generation. Security and virtualisation: AES-NI, Intel VT-x with EPT and VT-d, Intel Boot Guard.

Which systems take this processor

Anything on the FCLGA1151 socket with an Intel 100 or 200 series chipset: H110, B150, B250, H170, H270, Q170, Q270 and Z270. Boards built for 7th Generation parts will run 6th Generation processors, and most 6th Generation boards take 7th Generation parts after a BIOS update.

• Business desktops and SFF machines — Dell OptiPlex 3040 / 5040 / 7040, HP EliteDesk 800 G2 / ProDesk 600 G2, Lenovo ThinkCentre M700 / M900. These chassis shipped with this generation as a factory option, so replacement boards and coolers are easy to source.
• Entry workstations — HP Z240 SFF / Tower, Dell Precision T3620, Lenovo ThinkStation P310, where a 51 W dual-core is enough for office, CAD viewer and point-of-sale duty.
• NAS and firewall builds — C236 boards such as Supermicro X11SSH and ASUS P10S accept Core i3 parts alongside Xeon E3, and the low thermal envelope suits 24/7 enclosures.

One caveat when buying a board separately: 100 series boards may need a BIOS from late 2015 or later before a 7th Generation part will POST, and 200 series boards handle both generations out of the box. Tell us the board or the machine model when you enquire and we will confirm before you order.

How it compares across the i3 line

Against the 6100 it is a straight 200 MHz bin bump on the same 51 W — the last, smallest step of the dual-core era. The 8100 is the real generational break: 100 MHz slower per thread, but twice the cores and cache. If the machine already has a 100 or 200 series board, the 7100 is the best dual-core you can fit; if you are buying a board too, go to the 300 series and take four cores.

How each processor is tested before it ships

1. Visual inspection of the integrated heat spreader, substrate and contact pads; the sSpec laser marking (SR35C on our i3-7100 stock) is verified against the Intel specification sheet.
2. Burn-in on a matched diagnostic board with a pair of memory modules of the correct type for this platform.
3. All populated memory channels and the primary PCIe lanes are validated, then the processor is identified in the BIOS and in the operating system.
4. A sustained multi-threaded load test at full core count, with the clock and thermal readings recorded.
5. Thermal paste cleaned off, final inspection, then packaging in an anti-static tray with foam — which is how it arrives to you.

Warranty and lead time

Every processor is covered by a 1-year warranty against defects in workmanship and function. If a part fails within the period we replace it or refund it, and we cover return shipping on a verified fault. Stock is held in our own warehouse and normally dispatches within three to seven working days; tracking is issued at dispatch.

Purchasing and volume enquiries

The minimum order quantity for this processor is 2 units. Price is quotation-based rather than listed, because CPU pricing moves with each incoming batch — send us the quantity you need and we will come back with a firm quote and the current lead time. Larger quantities ship from the same production batch so the sSpec and the stepping stay consistent across your order.