Core i3-10100 vs Core i7-8809G

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-10100 vs Core i7-8809G FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-10100 vs Core i7-8809G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10100

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $328 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Delivers 272.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 69.9 vs 18.8 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 100W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-8809G

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,448 vs 8,526).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.8 vs 69.9 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).
❌53.8% higher power demand at 100W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10100 better than Core i7-8809G?

Yes. Core i3-10100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-10100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-10100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10100 comes in $328 cheaper on MSRP at $122 MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 272.3% better value on MSRP (69.9 vs 18.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10100 vs Core i7-8809G Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-10100

The Core i3-10100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,526 points. Launch price was $130.

Core i7-8809G

The Core i7-8809G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 8,448 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10100 and Core i7-8809G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-10100 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8809G — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-10100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-10100 uses the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8809G uses Kaby Lake G (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10100 scores 8,526 against the Core i7-8809G's 8,448 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-10100. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10100 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8809G.

Feature	Core i3-10100	Core i7-8809G
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+2%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+16%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-S (2020)	Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark	8,526	8,448
Cinebench R23 Multi	5,612	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,430	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,300	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10100 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8809G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10100	Core i7-8809G
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2270
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-10100) / not specified (Core i7-8809G). The Core i3-10100 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-8809G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-10100 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i3-10100 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X.

Feature	Core i3-10100	Core i7-8809G
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10100 was priced at $122, while the Core i7-8809G came in at $450. On launch pricing ($122 vs $450), Core i3-10100 was $328 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10100 delivers 69.9 pts/$ vs 18.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-8809G — making the Core i3-10100 the 115.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10100	Core i7-8809G
MSRP	$122-73%	$450
Performance per Dollar	69.9+272%	18.8
Release Date	2020	2018

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