Core i3-9100E vs Ryzen 7 5800X

Intel

Core i3-9100E

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i3-9100E vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 i3-9100E vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 7 5800X: 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 $247 less on MSRP ($202 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (6,539 vs 27,712).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.4 vs 61.7 PassMark/$ ($202 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +125.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Delivers 90.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.7 vs 32.4 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $202 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 122.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$202 MSRP
  • 61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Core i3-9100E?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 125.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 323.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 125.5% 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, Ryzen 7 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 323.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in 122.3% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $202 MSRP, and it still gives you a 125.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 90.7% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 32.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 5800X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9100E vs Ryzen 7 5800X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

The Core i3-9100E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5800X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-9100E versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X — a 23.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800X (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i3-9100E uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100E scores 6,539 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 — a 123.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100E vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X.

FeatureCore i3-9100ERyzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.7 GHz+27%
Base Clock
3.1 GHz
3.8 GHz+23%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
32 MB+433%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
6,539
27,712+324%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-9100ERyzen 7 5800X
Socket
LGA1151
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9100E) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800X). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i3-9100ERyzen 7 5800X
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100E was priced at $202, while the Ryzen 7 5800X came in at $449. On launch pricing ($202 vs $449), Core i3-9100E was $247 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100E delivers 32.4 pts/$ vs 61.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5800X — making the Ryzen 7 5800X the 62.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-9100ERyzen 7 5800X
MSRP
$202-55%
$449
Performance per Dollar
32.4
61.7+90%
Release Date
2018
2020

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