Core i3-4100E
VS
Core i3-2105

Core i3-4100E vs Core i3-2105

Intel

Core i3-4100E

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Core i3-2105

2 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-4100E is positioned at rank 1127 and the Core i3-2105 is on rank 935, so the Core i3-2105 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4100E

#1114
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3574%
#1115
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3521%
#1116
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3233%
#1117
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3218%
#1118
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3189%
#1120
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3079%
#1121
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2952%
#1122
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2948%
#1123
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2868%
#1126
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
100%
#1127
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
100%
#1128
Core i7-3520M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
100%
#1129
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
100%
#1130
Core i5-2510E
MSRP: $230|Avg: $30
100%
#1131
Core m5-6Y54
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
99%
#1133
Core i3-2330E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $10
99%
#1134
Core i5-4288U
MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A
95%
#1135
Core m3-6Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
95%
#1136
Core i3-2340UE
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
94%
#1137
Core i7-2820QM
MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A
94%
#1138
Core i5-520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
94%
#1140
Celeron 807
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
93%
#1141
Pentium B950
MSRP: $134|Avg: $35
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2105

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
23420%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
22129%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
16068%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
4840%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
3834%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
3354%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
1921%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
1896%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1726%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1726%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1707%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1661%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1638%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1631%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1616%
#934
Athlon II X3 405e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
100%
#935
Core i3-2105
MSRP: $138|Avg: $30
100%
#936
Core i3-3225
MSRP: $172|Avg: $167
99%
#937
Athlon II X3 400e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
99%
#938
Core i3-3220T
MSRP: $149|Avg: $146
98%
#939
Athlon II X2 245e
MSRP: $87|Avg: $15
98%
#940
Athlon II X2 240e
MSRP: $77|Avg: $77
98%
#941
Pentium G630T
MSRP: $79|Avg: $15
98%
#942
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
MSRP: $990|Avg: $175
98%
#945
Core i5-650
MSRP: $176|Avg: $22
96%
#946
A10-6790B
MSRP: $122|Avg: $50
95%
#947
Phenom X3 8600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
95%
#948
Core i3-6100TE
MSRP: $250|Avg: $90
95%
#949
FX-4320
MSRP: $250|Avg: $100
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-2105 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-4100E is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i3-4100ECore i3-2105
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-4100E stands out as the superior choice. It delivers superior performance at a comparable price point.
InsightCore i3-4100ECore i3-2105
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+1%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4100E and Core i3-2105

Intel

Core i3-4100E

The Core i3-4100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,848 points. Launch price was $225.

Intel

Core i3-2105

The Core i3-2105 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,837 points. Launch price was $145.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4100E and Core i3-2105 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4100E versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2105 — a 25.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-2105 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-4100E uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-2105 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100E scores 1,848 against the Core i3-2105's 1,837 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-4100E. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i3-4100ECore i3-2105
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
3.1 GHz+29%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
3.1 GHz+29%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,848
1,837
Geekbench 6 Single
550
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100E uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2105 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i3-2105 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

FeatureCore i3-4100ECore i3-2105
Socket
BGA1364
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
32 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-4100E) vs VT-x (Core i3-2105). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 4600 (Core i3-4100E) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2105) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100E targets Embedded, Core i3-2105 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4100E rivals Embedded R-Series.

FeatureCore i3-4100ECore i3-2105
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4600
HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x
Target Use
Embedded
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-4100E launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i3-2105 debuted at $138. At current prices ($30 vs $30), the Core i3-2105 is $0 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4100E delivers 61.6 pts/$ vs 61.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-2105 — making the Core i3-4100E the 0.6% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-4100ECore i3-2105
MSRP
$225
$138-39%
Avg Price (30d)
$30
$30
Performance per Dollar
61.6
61.2
Release Date
2013
2011