Core i3-8100 vs Core i7-4900MQ

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 i3-8100 vs Core i7-4900MQ 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 i3-8100 vs Core i7-4900MQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $453 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
✅Delivers 381.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.9 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-4900MQ needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-4900MQ.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4900MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,073 vs 6,146).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Core i7-4900MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 51.9 PassMark/$ ($570 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8100.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4900MQ better than Core i3-8100?

Yes. Core i7-4900MQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4900MQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.2% 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 i7-4900MQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-4900MQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4900MQ comes in 387.2% more expensive on MSRP at $570 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-8100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 381.4% better value on paper (51.9 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i3-8100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8100 vs Core i7-4900MQ Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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	—

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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	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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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	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8100 was priced at $117, while the Core i7-4900MQ came in at $570. On launch pricing ($117 vs $570), Core i3-8100 was $453 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8100 delivers 51.9 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-4900MQ — making the Core i3-8100 the 131.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i7-4900MQ
MSRP	$117-79%	$570
Performance per Dollar	51.9+381%	10.8
Release Date	2017	2013

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