Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-4771

CPU

GPU

Core i3-9300

4 Cores4 Thrd62 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2019

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Core i7-4771

4 Cores8 Thrd84 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2013

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Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-4771 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-9300

4 / 4

7,105

0.0%

7,141

+0.5%

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 i3-9300 vs Core i7-4771 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 i3-9300 vs Core i7-4771: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9300

2019

Why buy it

✅+2.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $177 less on MSRP ($143 MSRP vs $320 MSRP).
✅Delivers 122.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 49.7 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($143 MSRP vs $320 MSRP).
✅Draws 62W instead of 84W, a 22W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4771 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-4771

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (3,910 vs 4,025).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.3 vs 49.7 PassMark/$ ($320 MSRP vs $143 MSRP).
❌35.5% higher power demand at 84W vs 62W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9300 better than Core i7-4771?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4771 is ahead with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9300 pulls ahead with 2.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-4771 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 i3-9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-9300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-9300 comes in $177 cheaper on MSRP at $143 MSRP versus $320 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.9% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i7-4771 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 122.6% better value on MSRP (49.7 vs 22.3 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-4771 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9300

The Core i3-9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,105 points. Launch price was $143.

Core i7-4771

The Core i7-4771 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,141 points. Launch price was $450.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4771's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-9300 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4771 — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-9300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-9300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4771 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9300 scores 7,105 against the Core i7-4771's 7,141 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-4771. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,498 vs 1,139, a 27.2% lead for the Core i3-9300 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,025 vs 3,910 (2.9% advantage for the Core i3-9300). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9300 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4771.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-4771
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+10%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	7,105	7,141
Geekbench 6 Single	1,498+32%	1,139
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,025+3%	3,910

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4771 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-9300 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-4771 — the Core i3-9300 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-9300 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: LGA1151 (Core i3-9300) and H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i7-4771).

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-4771
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-9300) and Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Core i7-4771) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4771 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-4771
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9300 was priced at $143, while the Core i7-4771 came in at $320. On launch pricing ($143 vs $320), Core i3-9300 was $177 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9300 delivers 49.7 pts/$ vs 22.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-4771 — making the Core i3-9300 the 76% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-4771
MSRP	$143-55%	$320
Performance per Dollar	49.7+123%	22.3
Release Date	2019	2013

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