Core i3-9100F vs Core i7-6820HQ

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 i7-6820HQ 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 i7-6820HQ: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,704 vs 6,758).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $97 MSRP, while Core i7-6820HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i7-6820HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9100F better than Core i7-6820HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-9100F is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6820HQ pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i7-6820HQ also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6820HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% 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 i3-9100F is the better buy right now. Core i3-9100F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $97 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-6820HQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (69.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9100F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9100F vs Core i7-6820HQ 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 i7-6820HQ

The Core i7-6820HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,758 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9100F packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-6820HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100F versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-6820HQ — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-9100F uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6820HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100F scores 6,704 against the Core i7-6820HQ's 6,758 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-6820HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100F vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6820HQ.

Feature	Core i3-9100F	Core i7-6820HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+17%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,704	6,758

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100F uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6820HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.