Core i3-10100T vs Core i7-4790

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 i3-10100T vs Core i7-4790 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 i3-10100T vs Core i7-4790: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10100T

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $190 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Delivers 128.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 49.0 vs 21.4 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 84W, a 49W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-4790

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,263 vs 7,305).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.4 vs 49.0 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌140% higher power demand at 84W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10100T better than Core i7-4790?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4790 is ahead with a 12.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10100T pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-4790 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10100T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10100T is the better buy right now. Core i3-10100T comes in $190 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $339 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4790 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 128.8% better value on MSRP (49.0 vs 21.4 PassMark/$), 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 i3-10100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014) 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 i3-10100T vs Core i7-4790 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10100T

The Core i3-10100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,305 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-4790

The Core i7-4790 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,263 points. Launch price was $303.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10100T and Core i7-4790 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-10100T versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-4790 is built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-10100T scores 7,305 against the Core i7-4790's 7,263 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-10100T. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-10100T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790.

Feature	Core i3-10100T	Core i7-4790
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	—	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	7,305	7,263

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10100T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4790 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10100T	Core i7-4790
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10100T was priced at $149, while the Core i7-4790 came in at $339. On launch pricing ($149 vs $339), Core i3-10100T was $190 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10100T delivers 49.0 pts/$ vs 21.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-4790 — making the Core i3-10100T the 78.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10100T	Core i7-4790
MSRP	$149-56%	$339
Performance per Dollar	49.0+129%	21.4
Release Date	2020	2014

Search Core i3-10100T on Amazon

Search Core i7-4790 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.