Core i3-9100HL vs Core i5-2300

Core i3-9100HL

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2019

Core i5-2300

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-9100HL

4 / 4

3,454

0.0%

3,475

+0.6%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9100HL

#362

Core i9-14901E

MSRP: $557|Avg: $689

127%

#363

Celeron G5900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $50

127%

#364

Celeron G6900TE

MSRP: $53|Avg: $64

126%

#365

Core i5-8600T

MSRP: $213|Avg: $213

125%

#366

Celeron G4950

MSRP: $52|Avg: $63

125%

#367

Core i9-10900E

MSRP: $488|Avg: $450

124%

#368

Core i7-9700KF

MSRP: $374|Avg: $333

124%

#369

Core i5-8400T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $179

120%

#370

Athlon 240GE

MSRP: $75|Avg: $110

120%

#371

Core 5 120UL

MSRP: $277|Avg: $270

113%

#372

Ryzen Embedded V3C14

MSRP: $305|Avg: $305

113%

#373

Core i7-9700T

MSRP: $323|Avg: $276

111%

#374

Core i9-13900TE

MSRP: $554|Avg: $554

108%

#375

Ryzen Embedded V2546

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

105%

#376

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399

103%

#377

Core i3-9100HL

MSRP: $225|Avg: $100

100%

#378

Core i9-12900TE

MSRP: $494|Avg: $664

100%

#379

Core i9-9940X

MSRP: $1387|Avg: $850

96%

#380

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

MSRP: $1899|Avg: $1836

95%

#381

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

94%

#382

Ryzen Embedded R2544

MSRP: $280|Avg: $280

88%

#383

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $4999

82%

#384

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

MSRP: $3990|Avg: $2850

81%

#385

Celeron G4900

MSRP: $42|Avg: $85

81%

#386

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

80%

#387

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

78%

#388

Ryzen Embedded R2312

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

76%

#389

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $5200

76%

#390

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

MSRP: $1799|Avg: $1247

74%

#391

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

MSRP: $1299|Avg: $1300

69%

#392

Celeron G4920

MSRP: $52|Avg: $115

64%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2300

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

15880%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

15005%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

10895%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3282%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2600%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2274%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1303%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1286%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1171%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1170%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1157%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1126%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1110%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1106%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1096%

#294

Core i9-7920X

MSRP: $1199|Avg: $236

100%

#799

Core i5-2300

MSRP: $177|Avg: $17

100%

#800

Core i7-4820K

MSRP: $332|Avg: $40

100%

#802

Core i7-3770K

MSRP: $332|Avg: $75

100%

#803

Core i5-4460T

MSRP: $187|Avg: $30

99%

#804

Core i3-3220

MSRP: $117|Avg: $88

99%

#805

Core i7-3770T

MSRP: $278|Avg: $105

99%

#807

Pentium G620

MSRP: $64|Avg: $12

99%

#808

Pentium G645T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

99%

#809

Core i5-7442EQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: $50

99%

#812

Core i3-3250T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $15

98%

#813

Core i5-5575R

MSRP: $265|Avg: $50

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-9100HL (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2666, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-9100HL	Core i5-2300
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)	✅ More affordable ($17)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-2300 (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-9100HL	Core i5-2300
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+492%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)	✅ More affordable ($17)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-9100HL Benchmark Check

Core i5-2300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-9100HL and Core i5-2300

Core i3-9100HL

The Core i3-9100HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,454 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-2300

The Core i5-2300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,475 points. Launch price was $168.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-9100HL and Core i5-2300 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-9100HL versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2300 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-9100HL uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2300 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100HL scores 3,454 against the Core i5-2300's 3,475 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-2300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,037 vs 516, a 67.1% lead for the Core i3-9100HL that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,373 vs 1,515 (44.1% advantage for the Core i3-9100HL). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100HL vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300.

Feature	Core i3-9100HL	Core i5-2300
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+75%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,454	3,475
Geekbench 6 Single	1,037+101%	516
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,373+57%	1,515

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100HL uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2300 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i3-9100HL versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2300 — the Core i3-9100HL supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-9100HL supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 Series (Core i3-9100HL) and H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2300).

Feature	Core i3-9100HL	Core i5-2300
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz+33%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i3-9100HL) vs Yes (Core i5-2300). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-9100HL) and Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2300) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-9100HL targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i3-9100HL	Core i5-2300
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	Yes
Target Use	Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-9100HL launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i5-2300 debuted at $177. At current prices ($100 vs $17), the Core i5-2300 is $83 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100HL delivers 34.5 pts/$ vs 204.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-2300 — making the Core i5-2300 the 142.2% better value option.