Core i3-9100F vs Core i7-4770S

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 i3-9100F vs Core i7-4770S 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 i3-9100F vs Core i7-4770S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9100F

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $208 less on MSRP ($97 MSRP vs $305 MSRP).
✅Delivers 212.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 69.1 vs 22.1 PassMark/$ ($97 MSRP vs $305 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4770S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,704 vs 6,749).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-4770S

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.1 vs 69.1 PassMark/$ ($305 MSRP vs $97 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4770S better than Core i3-9100F?

Yes. Core i7-4770S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4770S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.0% 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 i7-4770S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-4770S is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4770S comes in 214.4% more expensive on MSRP at $305 MSRP versus $97 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-9100F 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 6,704 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?

Core i3-9100F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9100F vs Core i7-4770S Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9100F

The Core i3-9100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) 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. Passmark benchmark score: 6,704 points. Launch price was $122.

Core i7-4770S

The Core i7-4770S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,749 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-9100F packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4770S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100F versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4770S — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-9100F uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4770S uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100F scores 6,704 against the Core i7-4770S's 6,749 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-4770S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100F vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-4770S.

Feature	Core i3-9100F	Core i7-4770S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+8%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+16%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	6,704	6,749

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100F uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4770S uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9100F	Core i7-4770S
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-9100F) / not specified (Core i7-4770S). Primary use case: Core i3-9100F targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-9100F	Core i7-4770S
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9100F was priced at $97, while the Core i7-4770S came in at $305. On launch pricing ($97 vs $305), Core i3-9100F was $208 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100F delivers 69.1 pts/$ vs 22.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-4770S — making the Core i3-9100F the 103% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9100F	Core i7-4770S
MSRP	$97-68%	$305
Performance per Dollar	69.1+213%	22.1
Release Date	2019	2013

Search Core i3-9100F on Amazon

Search Core i7-4770S 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.