Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i5-7600K (Intel, 2017) and Core i3-10100 (Intel, 2020) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i5-7600K is about 2.2% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1151 / LGA1200), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i5-7600K | i3-10100 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 9,200 | 9,000 |
| Generation | 7th Gen | 10th Gen |
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1200 |
| Release Year | 2017 | 2020 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | Radeon RX 6700 XT |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i5-7600K |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i3-10100 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i5-7600K is about 2.2% higher by score (i5-7600K: 9200 points / i3-10100: 9000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i5-7600K is 7th Gen, while i3-10100 is 10th Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1151 / LGA1200), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce GTX 980 Ti pairs well with i5-7600K and Radeon RX 6700 XT pairs well with i3-10100. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
