Core i3-9100T vs Core i7-4710HQ

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i3-9100T

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 47W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $122 MSRP, while Core i7-4710HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4710HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-4710HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i3-9100T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-9100T across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,549 vs 5,600).
❌34.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 35W.

Core i3-9100T

2019

Core i7-4710HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 47W, a 12W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i3-9100T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $122 MSRP, while Core i7-4710HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4710HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-9100T across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,549 vs 5,600).
❌34.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9100T better than Core i7-4710HQ?

Yes. Core i3-9100T is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 4.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-9100T is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.9% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100T is the better fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-9100T is the smarter buy today. Core i3-9100T is at an unclear MSRP at $122 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (45.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-9100T is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

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 i3-9100T Benchmark Check

Core i7-4710HQ Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i3-9100T	Core i7-4710HQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	137 FPS	139 FPS
high	111 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	88 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	136 FPS
medium	116 FPS	116 FPS
high	93 FPS	89 FPS
ultra	71 FPS	72 FPS
4K
low	68 FPS	65 FPS
medium	57 FPS	59 FPS
high	45 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i3-9100T Open Core i7-4710HQ

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i3-9100T	Core i7-4710HQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	131 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	124 FPS
high	140 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	115 FPS	95 FPS
4K
low	140 FPS	111 FPS
medium	129 FPS	98 FPS
high	104 FPS	77 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	55 FPS

Open Core i3-9100T Open Core i7-4710HQ

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i3-9100T	Core i7-4710HQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS

Open Core i3-9100T Open Core i7-4710HQ

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i3-9100T	Core i7-4710HQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	140 FPS	139 FPS
medium	140 FPS	139 FPS
high	140 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	139 FPS

Open Core i3-9100T Open Core i7-4710HQ

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-9100T and Core i7-4710HQ

Core i3-9100T

The Core i3-9100T 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,600 points. Launch price was $122.

Core i7-4710HQ

The Core i7-4710HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,549 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9100T packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4710HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-9100T versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-4710HQ — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100T (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-9100T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4710HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100T scores 5,600 against the Core i7-4710HQ's 5,549 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-9100T. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4710HQ.

Feature	Core i3-9100T	Core i7-4710HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,600	5,549

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9100T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4710HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9100T	Core i7-4710HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9100T) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4710HQ). The Core i7-4710HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i3-9100T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4710HQ targets Mobile.