The Core i3-7300 is about 4% faster than the Core i3-6300 in our estimate.
The Core i3-7300 is about 4% faster than the Core i3-6300 in our estimate.
| Core i3-7300 | Core i3-6300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming index | 21.8 | 21 |
| Cores / threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Max boost | 3.8 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Power (TDP) | 51 W | 51 W |
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| Release year | 2026 | 2015 |
| Launch price | n/a | $149 |
On our gaming index the Core i3-7300 scores 21.8 and the Core i3-6300 scores 21, about 4% faster for gaming. That gap is small and mostly shows up at 1080p with a very fast graphics card.
The Core i3-7300 has 2 cores and 4 threads, and the Core i3-6300 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Core counts are the same, so cache size and clock speed decide the difference. Boost clocks are 3.8 GHz and 3.8 GHz.
Both chips use the LGA1151 socket, so they fit the same motherboards. You can swap one for the other without changing the board.
Rated power is 51 W for the first and 51 W for the second. That is close enough that cooling needs will be similar.
We do not have launch prices for both chips, so we cannot compare value.
At 1080p the Core i3-7300 can feed a card up to the Arc A580 before it holds the card back by more than 10 percent. The Core i3-6300 reaches the Radeon RX 5600 XT. Both chips are in the same range for graphics card pairing.
Choose the Core i3-7300 if you want the faster gaming chip and the same or more cores. Choose the Core i3-6300 if you would rather spend the difference on a graphics card, which does more for frame rates in most games.
The Core i3-7300 is about 4% faster than the Core i3-6300 in our estimate.
If your graphics card is already the limit in your games, a faster processor adds little. Use the bottleneck calculator to check your own pairing.
Updated October 5, 2026