Core i3-9100E vs Ryzen 5 2500U

CPU

GPU

Core i3-9100E

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 2500U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2017

Ryzen family

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Core i3-9100E vs Ryzen 5 2500U Performance Spectrum

Core i3-9100E

4 / 4

6,539

+0.7%

6,494

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 i3-9100E vs Ryzen 5 2500U 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 Ryzen 5 2500U: 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

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Costs $147 less on MSRP ($202 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).
✅Delivers 74.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.4 vs 18.6 PassMark/$ ($202 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 2500U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 2500U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 2500U

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 8, while Core i3-9100E needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,494 vs 6,539).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.6 vs 32.4 PassMark/$ ($349 MSRP vs $202 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9100E better than Ryzen 5 2500U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 2500U is ahead with a 5.4% 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 0.7% better PassMark. Core i3-9100E 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, Core i3-9100E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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 $147 cheaper on MSRP at $202 MSRP versus $349 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 2500U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 74.0% better value on MSRP (32.4 vs 18.6 PassMark/$), 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 2017), 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB), 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 Ryzen 5 2500U 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.

Ryzen 5 2500U

The Ryzen 5 2500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 26 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,494 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9100E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Ryzen 5 2500U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-9100E versus 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2500U — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100E (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-9100E uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2500U uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100E scores 6,539 against the Ryzen 5 2500U's 6,494 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-9100E. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100E vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2500U.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Ryzen 5 2500U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+55%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark	6,539	6,494
Geekbench 6 Single	—	818
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,310

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2500U uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Ryzen 5 2500U
Socket	LGA1151	FP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9100E) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2500U). The Ryzen 5 2500U includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8), while the Core i3-9100E requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 2500U targets Mainstream Laptop.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Ryzen 5 2500U
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon Vega 8
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Mainstream Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100E was priced at $202, while the Ryzen 5 2500U came in at $349. On launch pricing ($202 vs $349), Core i3-9100E was $147 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100E delivers 32.4 pts/$ vs 18.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2500U — making the Core i3-9100E the 54% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9100E	Ryzen 5 2500U
MSRP	$202-42%	$349
Performance per Dollar	32.4+74%	18.6
Release Date	2018	2017

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