Core i7-4980HQ vs Core i3-9100
Core i7-4980HQ
Core i3-9100
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 i7-4980HQ is positioned at rank #417 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 i7-4980HQ
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4980HQ | Core i3-9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($125) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4980HQ | Core i3-9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($125) |
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 i7-4980HQ and Core i3-9100
Core i7-4980HQ
The Core i7-4980HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 6,539 points. Launch price was $623.
Core i3-9100
The Core i3-9100 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 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,586 points. Launch price was $122.
Processing Power
The Core i7-4980HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i3-9100's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4980HQ versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-9100 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-9100 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-4980HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-9100 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4980HQ scores 6,539 against the Core i3-9100's 6,586 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-9100. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4980HQ vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100.
| Feature | Core i7-4980HQ | Core i3-9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz | 4.2 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.6 GHz+29% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Crystalwell (2013−2014) | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 6,539 | 6,586 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4980HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-9100 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-4980HQ | Core i3-9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1364 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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