CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-7400 vs Intel Core 3 100HL
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-7400 is a mainstream desktop processor launched in early 2017 as part of the 7th Generation Kaby Lake lineup. Designed as the entry point for the Core i5 desktop family, it features four physical cores operating at a base frequency of 3.0 GHz, with the ability to boost up to 3.5 GHz. Manufactured on Intel's mature 14nm process, it fits into the standard 65-watt TDP envelope, making it compatible with a wide range of cooling solutions and motherboards. The chip lacks Hyper-Threading, handling four threads simultaneously, which was standard for i5 processors of this generation. It integrates Intel HD 630 graphics, providing adequate performance for everyday multimedia tasks and hardware-accelerated video decoding. Supporting dual-channel DDR4 memory at 2400 MT/s and featuring 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, the i5-7400 was widely adopted in budget gaming rigs and office PCs. While it has been surpassed by modern processors, it remains a functional solution for basic computing needs and legacy system builds.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Solid performance for standard office tasks, but limited by 4 threads in heavy multitasking.
Handles word processing, spreadsheets, and multi-tab browsing flawlessly, but struggles with heavy multi-threaded workloads.
Gaming
Can run older games well but will bottleneck modern GPUs significantly.
The combination of low base clocks and only 8 PCIe 4.0 lanes limits its potential when paired with modern dedicated GPUs.
Virtualization
Basic VM support is possible, but performance is restricted by core count.
The 12 threads and 12MB L3 cache provide enough headway for basic VMs, but memory and PCIe limitations are restrictive.
Efficiency
65W TDP is well-managed and easy to cool.
Extremely power efficient at idle and low loads, making it an ideal choice for always-on office machines.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Will struggle with any local AI inference
- Lacks dedicated NPU hardware.
- No AVX-512 support for legacy AI workloads.
- Insufficient core count and memory bandwidth for local LLM inference.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Heavily bottlenecked by 4 threads in modern titles
- Acceptable for retro or e-sports titles with a low-end GPU
- HD 630 not suitable for modern gaming without a dedicated GPU
- Integrated Iris Xe graphics can only handle eSports titles at low settings.
- Pairing with a dedicated GPU is bottlenecked by the x8 PCIe 4.0 lanes.
- E-cores provide minimal benefit in most gaming workloads.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good single-core performance for basic tasks
- Low 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Hardware video decoding for modern codecs
- Widely compatible with LGA 1151 motherboards
- Affordable on the used market
Cons
- Only 4 threads limits modern multitasking
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- No PCIe Gen 4 support
- Bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs
- Not supported on Windows 11 officially
Pros
- Very low 45W power consumption
- Includes capable Iris Xe 48EU integrated graphics
- Flexible DDR4 and DDR5 memory support
- Modern hybrid architecture at an entry-level price
- Supports Intel vPro for enterprise management
- Highly efficient for idle and light-load scenarios
Cons
- Only 8 direct PCIe 4.0 lanes bottleneck dedicated GPUs
- Reduced 12MB L3 cache size
- Locked multiplier prevents CPU overclocking
- Low base clock of 2.1 GHz limits bursty single-thread performance
- OEM-focused 'PS' silicon limits retail availability
- PL2 max power of 115W is disproportionately high for an entry-level chip
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-7400
- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1400Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-7100Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-6400Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Desktop
Successor with 6 cores, offering vastly superior modern performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Alt
Contemporary AMD alternative with 6 cores and 12 threads.
A slight step up in clock speeds if sticking to 7th Gen.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A much better modern alternative for a budget build.
A modern budget CPU that destroys this chip in every metric.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core 3 100HL
- AMD Ryzen 3 4300GRival
Entry-Level Desktop APU
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600GRival
Mid-Range Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-12100Rival
Entry-Level Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-13100Rival
Entry-Level Desktop
- AMD Athlon 3000GRival
Budget Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Significantly better gaming and creator performance for a slight price increase.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Alt
Excellent multi-threaded performance on a highly affordable AM4 platform.
Our Verdict on Each
A standard quad-core CPU of its era that handles basic tasks well, but lacks Hyper-Threading and is heavily bottlenecked in modern multi-threaded workloads.
Best for: Keeping an existing LGA 1151 system alive for basic office work.
Read the full reviewA highly efficient, budget-friendly entry point into Intel's new branding scheme, best suited for pre-built systems and basic daily tasks rather than enthusiast computing.
Best for: Building or buying a budget OEM desktop for home or office use
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-7400 or Intel Core 3 100HL?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core 3 100HL comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-7400 or Intel Core 3 100HL?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-7400 leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Intel Core i5-7400 and Intel Core 3 100HL.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core 3 100HL has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-7400 (65 W), Intel Core 3 100HL (45 W).
Do Intel Core i5-7400 and Intel Core 3 100HL use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-7400: Intel Socket 1151, Intel Core 3 100HL: LGA 1700), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core 3 100HL has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-7400 (4 cores), Intel Core 3 100HL (8 cores).