Core i3-9100E vs Core i7-4820K

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 i7-4820K 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 i7-4820K: 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

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $130 less on MSRP ($202 MSRP vs $332 MSRP).
✅Delivers 65.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.4 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($202 MSRP vs $332 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4820K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Core i7-4820K

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,515 vs 6,539).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.6 vs 32.4 PassMark/$ ($332 MSRP vs $202 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9100E better than Core i7-4820K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4820K is ahead with a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100E pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-4820K also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100E 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 i3-9100E is the better buy right now. Core i3-9100E comes in $130 cheaper on MSRP at $202 MSRP versus $332 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4820K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 65.0% better value on MSRP (32.4 vs 19.6 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9100E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 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 i3-9100E vs Core i7-4820K 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 i7-4820K

The Core i7-4820K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,515 points. Launch price was $399.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-9100E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4820K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-9100E versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4820K — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-4820K (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i3-9100E uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4820K uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100E scores 6,539 against the Core i7-4820K's 6,515 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-9100E. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100E vs 10 MB (total) on the Core i7-4820K.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Core i7-4820K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	6,539	6,515

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4820K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Core i7-4820K
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100E was priced at $202, while the Core i7-4820K came in at $332. On launch pricing ($202 vs $332), Core i3-9100E was $130 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100E delivers 32.4 pts/$ vs 19.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-4820K — making the Core i3-9100E the 49% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Core i7-4820K
MSRP	$202-39%	$332
Performance per Dollar	32.4+65%	19.6
Release Date	2018	2013

Search Core i3-9100E on Amazon

Search Core i7-4820K on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.