Core i3-9100 vs Core i5-7600
Core i3-9100
Core i5-7600
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9100
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-9100 | Core i5-7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($125) | ✅ More affordable ($114) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-9100 | Core i5-7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($125) | ✅ More affordable ($114) |
Performance Check
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 i3-9100 and Core i5-7600
Core i3-9100
The Core i3-9100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2018 (7 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 4.2 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: 6,586 points. Launch price was $122.
Core i5-7600
The Core i5-7600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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. Passmark benchmark score: 6,568 points. Launch price was $224.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-9100 and Core i5-7600 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-7600 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-9100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7600 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100 scores 6,586 against the Core i5-7600's 6,568 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-9100. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i3-9100 | Core i5-7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz+2% | 4.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 6,586 | 6,568 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,307 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i3-9100 | Core i5-7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| 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: not specified (Core i3-9100) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600). The Core i5-7600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-9100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7600 rivals Ryzen 5 1500X.
| Feature | Core i3-9100 | Core i5-7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-9100 launched at $122 MSRP, while the Core i5-7600 debuted at $224. At current prices ($125 vs $114), the Core i5-7600 is $11 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100 delivers 52.7 pts/$ vs 57.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-7600 — making the Core i5-7600 the 8.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-9100 | Core i5-7600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $122-46% | $224 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $125 | $114-9% |
| Performance per Dollar | 52.7 | 57.6+9% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2017 |
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