Core i3-9100 vs Core i7-4770R

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 i3-9100 vs Core i7-4770R 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 i3-9100 vs Core i7-4770R: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9100

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $238 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).
✅Delivers 196.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 54.0 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4770R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4770R can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-4770R

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics 5200, while Core i3-9100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,561 vs 6,586).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.2 vs 54.0 PassMark/$ ($360 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9100 better than Core i7-4770R?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4770R is ahead with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-9100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-9100 comes in $238 cheaper on MSRP at $122 MSRP versus $360 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4770R is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 196.2% better value on MSRP (54.0 vs 18.2 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9100 vs Core i7-4770R Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-4770R

The Core i7-4770R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,561 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4770R's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4770R — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-9100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4770R uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100 scores 6,586 against the Core i7-4770R's 6,561 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-9100. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-9100	Core i7-4770R
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+8%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	6,586	6,561
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,163
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,204

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4770R uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9100	Core i7-4770R
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9100) / Yes (Core i7-4770R). The Core i7-4770R includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 5200), while the Core i3-9100 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-9100	Core i7-4770R
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Pro Graphics 5200
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100 was priced at $122, while the Core i7-4770R came in at $360. On launch pricing ($122 vs $360), Core i3-9100 was $238 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100 delivers 54.0 pts/$ vs 18.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-4770R — making the Core i3-9100 the 99% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9100	Core i7-4770R
MSRP	$122-66%	$360
Performance per Dollar	54.0+197%	18.2
Release Date	2019	2013

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