Core i3-9100E vs Core i5-7600

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 i3-9100E vs Core i5-7600 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 i3-9100E vs Core i5-7600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9100E

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $22 less on MSRP ($202 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
✅Delivers 10.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.4 vs 29.3 PassMark/$ ($202 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-7600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,539 vs 6,568).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7600.

Core i5-7600

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i3-9100E needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-9100E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.3 vs 32.4 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $202 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7600 better than Core i3-9100E?

Yes. Core i5-7600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-7600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.8% 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 i5-7600 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 i5-7600 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7600 comes in 10.9% more expensive on MSRP at $224 MSRP versus $202 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-9100E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 10.4% better value on paper (32.4 vs 29.3 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9100E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9100E vs Core i5-7600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9100E

The Core i3-9100E 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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: 6,539 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-9100E and Core i5-7600 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-9100E versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-7600 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-9100E 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 i3-9100E scores 6,539 against the Core i5-7600's 6,568 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-7600. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Core i5-7600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
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	6,539	6,568
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,307

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	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	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9100E) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600). The Core i5-7600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-9100E requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7600 rivals Ryzen 5 1500X.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100E was priced at $202, while the Core i5-7600 came in at $224. On launch pricing ($202 vs $224), Core i3-9100E was $22 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100E delivers 32.4 pts/$ vs 29.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-7600 — making the Core i3-9100E the 9.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Core i5-7600
MSRP	$202-10%	$224
Performance per Dollar	32.4+11%	29.3
Release Date	2018	2017

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