Core i5-2300 vs Core i3-9100HL
Core i5-2300
Core i3-9100HL
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. The Core i5-2300 is positioned at rank #799 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2300
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9100HL
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2300 | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($17) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2300 | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+492%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($17) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2300 and Core i3-9100HL
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.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-2300 and Core i3-9100HL share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-9100HL — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2300 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-2300 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-9100HL uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2300 scores 3,475 against the Core i3-9100HL's 3,454 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-2300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 516 vs 1,037, a 67.1% lead for the Core i3-9100HL that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,515 vs 2,373 (44.1% advantage for the Core i3-9100HL). L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100HL.
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+7% | 2.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+75% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 3,475 | 3,454 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 516 | 1,037+101% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,515 | 2,373+57% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2300 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-9100HL uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2300 versus DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i3-9100HL — 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: H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2300) and Intel 300 Series (Core i3-9100HL).
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | BGA1440 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4 2666 MHz+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-2300) vs true (Core i3-9100HL). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2300) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-9100HL) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-9100HL targets Embedded.
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | true |
| Target Use | — | Embedded |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2300 launched at $177 MSRP, while the Core i3-9100HL debuted at $225. At current prices ($17 vs $100), the Core i5-2300 is $83 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2300 delivers 204.4 pts/$ vs 34.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-9100HL — making the Core i5-2300 the 142.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $177-21% | $225 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $17-83% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 204.4+492% | 34.5 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2019 |
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