Core i3-8100 vs Core i7-4900MQ

Core i3-8100

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2017

Core i7-4900MQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-8100

4 / 4

6,073

0.0%

6,146

+1.2%

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 i3-8100 is positioned at rank 410 and the Core i7-4900MQ is on rank 1058, so the Core i3-8100 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 i3-8100

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

6005%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

5674%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

4120%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1241%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

983%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

860%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

493%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

486%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

443%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

443%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

438%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

426%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

420%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

418%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

414%

#338

Core i9-10980XE

MSRP: $979|Avg: $620

100%

#339

Core i5-8500T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $149

100%

#340

Core i9-9900KF

MSRP: $488|Avg: $350

99%

#341

Ryzen Embedded V2748

MSRP: $309|Avg: $359

99%

#342

Core i3-9350K

MSRP: $184|Avg: $150

98%

#410

Core i3-8100

MSRP: $117|Avg: $45

100%

#419

Celeron G3900

MSRP: $42|Avg: $39

99%

#420

Celeron G1840

MSRP: $35|Avg: $30

98%

#421

Core i5-8400

MSRP: $182|Avg: $95

98%

#423

Phenom II X3 705e

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $69

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4900MQ

#1046

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2722%

#1047

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2682%

#1048

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2462%

#1049

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2451%

#1050

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2428%

#1052

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2345%

#1053

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2249%

#1054

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2245%

#1055

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2185%

#1058

Core i7-4900MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $40

100%

#1059

Pentium Dual Core T2370

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

99%

#1060

Celeron P4505

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

99%

#1061

Pentium T4200

MSRP: $99|Avg: $10

99%

#1062

Core i7-2720QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

99%

#1063

Pentium 2020M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

98%

#1064

Celeron P4500

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

98%

#1065

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

97%

#1066

Processor N50

MSRP: $128|Avg: $120

97%

#1067

Athlon II N350

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

97%

#1068

Celeron N3350

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

#1070

Core i7-2675QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

96%

#1071

A9-9410

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

96%

#1073

A8 Pro-7150B

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-8100 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-8100	Core i7-4900MQ
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)	✅ More affordable ($40)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4900MQ (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-8100	Core i7-4900MQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+14%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)	✅ More affordable ($40)

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.

Core i3-8100 Benchmark Check

Core i7-4900MQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-8100 and Core i7-4900MQ

Core i3-8100

The Core i3-8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,073 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i7-4900MQ

The Core i7-4900MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,146 points. Launch price was $568.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-8100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4900MQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4900MQ — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-4900MQ (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-8100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4900MQ uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100 scores 6,073 against the Core i7-4900MQ's 6,146 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-4900MQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-8100 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4900MQ.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i7-4900MQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+29%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	6,073	6,146+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,600	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4900MQ uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i7-4900MQ
Socket	LGA1151	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	✅	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100) / not specified (Core i7-4900MQ). The Core i3-8100 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4900MQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100 targets Budget Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i7-4900MQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Budget Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-8100 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Core i7-4900MQ debuted at $570. At current prices ($45 vs $40), the Core i7-4900MQ is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8100 delivers 135.0 pts/$ vs 153.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-4900MQ — making the Core i7-4900MQ the 13% better value option.