Core i7-2860QM vs Core i3-9100TE

CPU

GPU

Core i7-2860QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2011

Core i3-9100TE

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2860QM

4 / 8

4,597

+0.2%

4,589

0.0%

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 i7-2860QM is positioned at rank #68 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. 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 i7-2860QM

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

91%

#56

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

223%

#57

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

220%

#58

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

202%

#59

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

201%

#60

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

199%

#62

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

192%

#63

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

185%

#64

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

184%

#65

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

179%

#68

Core i7-2860QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#69

Core 2 Quad Q9100

MSRP: $14|Avg: $14

98%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

95%

#79

Atom D2500

MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9100TE

#244

Core i9-12900

MSRP: $519|Avg: $420

105%

#245

Ryzen 3 8300G

MSRP: $176|Avg: $176

105%

#246

Core i7-11700KF

MSRP: $374|Avg: $299

104%

#247

Core i5-10600K

MSRP: $262|Avg: $179

104%

#248

Core i3-10325

MSRP: $154|Avg: $130

104%

#249

Ryzen Embedded V2718

MSRP: $250|Avg: $200

104%

#250

Core i7-8086K

MSRP: $425|Avg: $178

103%

#251

Core i3-10300T

MSRP: $157|Avg: $100

103%

#252

Core i9-10900TE

MSRP: $309|Avg: $180

103%

#253

Core i9-12900T

MSRP: $489|Avg: $378

102%

#254

Core i5-12600T

MSRP: $223|Avg: $223

102%

#255

Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $180

102%

#256

Ryzen 7 1700X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $60

51%

#256

Ryzen 5 3500X

MSRP: $155|Avg: $171

101%

#257

Core i9-14900

MSRP: $524|Avg: $589

101%

#258

Core i5-8600

MSRP: $213|Avg: $130

100%

#259

Core i3-9100TE

MSRP: $122|Avg: $60

100%

#260

Core i5-12500T

MSRP: $302|Avg: $214

100%

#261

Core i9-13900

MSRP: $549|Avg: $599

99%

#262

Core i7-11700

MSRP: $323|Avg: $274

98%

#262

Core i7-8700K

MSRP: $359|Avg: $160

49%

#263

Core i9-13900T

MSRP: $549|Avg: $570

98%

#264

Processor 300T

MSRP: $82|Avg: $82

97%

#265

Athlon 3000G

MSRP: $49|Avg: $60

97%

#266

Athlon 220GE

MSRP: $65|Avg: $60

97%

#267

Ryzen 9 3900X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $441

96%

#268

Core i5-10500

MSRP: $200|Avg: $178

96%

#269

Celeron G6900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $50

96%

#270

Core i9-10850K

MSRP: $453|Avg: $300

96%

#271

Core i9-13900E

MSRP: $554|Avg: $554

96%

#272

Core i9-9820X

MSRP: $889|Avg: $280

96%

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 i3-9100TE (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2860QM	Core i3-9100TE
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($60)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2860QM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2860QM	Core i3-9100TE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($60)

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 i7-2860QM Benchmark Check

Core i3-9100TE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2860QM and Core i3-9100TE

Core i7-2860QM

The Core i7-2860QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,597 points. Launch price was $568.

Core i3-9100TE

The Core i3-9100TE 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 4,589 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2860QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i3-9100TE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-2860QM versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100TE — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-2860QM (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-2860QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-9100TE uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2860QM scores 4,597 against the Core i3-9100TE's 4,589 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-2860QM. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2860QM vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100TE.

Feature	Core i7-2860QM	Core i3-9100TE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	4,597	4,589

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2860QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-9100TE uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-2860QM versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-9100TE — the Core i7-2860QM supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-9100TE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i7-2860QM	Core i3-9100TE
Socket	PGA988	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1600+39900%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	32	64 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-2860QM) vs VT-x (Core i3-9100TE). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2860QM) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-9100TE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-9100TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i7-2860QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.