Core i3-9100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G

Intel

Core i3-9100

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2018

Core i3-9100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i3-9100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G 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 Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G: 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

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +13.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $172 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 138.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 54.0 vs 22.7 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (6,586 vs 6,661).

Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G

2018

Why buy it

  • βœ…+1.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-9100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.7 vs 54.0 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G better than Core i3-9100?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-9100 is ahead with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i3-9100 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G is still the better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G comes in 141.0% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $122 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. Core i3-9100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 6,586 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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 (2017βˆ’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.

AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G

The Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 6,661 points. Launch price was $149.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-9100 and Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100 versus 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G β€” a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100. The Core i3-9100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017βˆ’2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G uses Zen (2017βˆ’2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100 scores 6,586 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G's 6,661 β€” a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100 vs 4 MB on the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G.

FeatureCore i3-9100Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 4
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz+20%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
β€”
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)+50%
4 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+12700%
2 MB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017βˆ’2019)
Zen (2017βˆ’2020)
PassMark
6,586
6,661+1%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-9100Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G
Socket
LGA1151
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100 was priced at $122, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G came in at $294. On launch pricing ($122 vs $294), Core i3-9100 was $172 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100 delivers 54.0 pts/$ vs 22.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G β€” making the Core i3-9100 the 81.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-9100Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G
MSRP
$122-59%
$294
Performance per Dollar
54.0+138%
22.7
Release Date
2019
2018

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