Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i7-4870HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4870HQ and the Intel Core i3-10100 present a notable split between workloads and generations. The i7-4870HQ wins 5 of the 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons in this database, with its strongest results coming in multi-threaded rendering that are over double the scores of the i3-10100. The i3-10100 wins the other 3 tests, but all of those are in single-thread or Geekbench tests, where its higher core clocks and newer architecture show. The i7-4870HQ is a mobile 4-core, 8-thread design based on the Haswell architecture, while the i3-10100 is a desktop 4-core, 8-thread design based on the Comet Lake architecture. Both CPUs share a 4-core, 8-thread configuration, but their base clocks differ, with the i3-10100 running at 3.60 GHz versus the i7-4870HQ's 2.50 GHz. The boost clocks also favor the i3-10100, which reaches 4.30 GHz compared to the i7-4870HQ's 3.70 GHz. These clock differences, combined with the newer 14 nm process node in the i3-10100 versus the 22 nm node in the i7-4870HQ, explain the single-thread advantages for the i3-10100 in some tests, but the i7-4870HQ's much larger score margins in other benchmarks point to a different set of strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the Cinebench multi-core tests. The i7-4870HQ scores 540 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which is 109.3% higher than the i3-10100's 258. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7-4870HQ scores 2253 versus 1076, a 109.4% delta. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-4870HQ scores 5366 against the i3-10100's 2564, a 109.3% margin. The i7-4870HQ also wins the single-core Cinebench R20 and R23 tests, but by much smaller margins, scoring 317 versus 152 (108.6% delta) in R20 and 757 versus 362 (109.1% delta) in R23. The only Cinebench test the i3-10100 wins is R15 single-core, where it scores 88 against the i7-4870HQ's 76, a 13.6% difference.

The Geekbench tests show the i3-10100 in a much stronger position. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-10100 scores 4495 versus the i7-4870HQ's 3701, a 17.7% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the i3-10100 scores 1350 against 1143, a 15.3% margin. These Geekbench results are the i3-10100's only wins, but they are consistent, showing a clear edge in that benchmark suite. The overall win count is 5 for the i7-4870HQ and 3 for the i3-10100, but the data suggests the two processors are optimized differently. The i7-4870HQ's massive Cinebench leads indicate that in rendering workloads, the older mobile chip is far more capable, while the i3-10100's Geekbench wins point to better performance in tasks that rely on higher clock speeds and newer single-thread efficiency.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the two CPUs are nearly identical overall. The i7-4870HQ has an average benchmark score of 1769, while the i3-10100 has 1742. This small difference puts them in the same percentile, with both at the 41st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the i7-4870HQ include the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE with an average score of 1766 and a delta of 0.2%, and the Intel Xeon E5-2637 v3 with 1773 and a delta of -0.2%. For the i3-10100, the nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U with 1742 and a delta of 0%, and the Intel Core i5-6600 with 1744 and a delta of -0.1%. This means that while the head-to-head results show dramatic swings, the overall performance averages out to a near tie, placing both CPUs in the same competitive tier.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4870HQ dominates in multi-threaded rendering workloads, as shown by the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. In each of these, the i7-4870HQ scores more than double the i3-10100, with deltas consistently around 109%. This is a clear signal that for video rendering, 3D modeling, or any workload that scales across cores and threads, the i7-4870HQ is the stronger choice. The i7-4870HQ also wins the single-core Cinebench R20 and R23 tests, although these margins are smaller, at 108.6% and 109.1% respectively. The only single-core test the i3-10100 wins is Cinebench R15, where it scores 88 against 76, a 13.6% edge. This suggests that the i7-4870HQ's advantage in Cinebench is not limited to multi-threaded tasks, as it also outperforms in the newer single-core versions of that benchmark.

The i3-10100 wins all Geekbench tests, both multi-core and single-core. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 4495 versus 3701, a 17.7% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1350 versus 1143, a 15.3% margin. These wins are significant because Geekbench tests a broader range of real-world tasks, including integer and floating-point workloads, memory access, and encryption. The i3-10100's higher base and boost clocks, at 3.60 GHz and 4.30 GHz respectively, likely contribute to these results. Its memory bandwidth is also higher, at 42.7 GB/s compared to the i7-4870HQ's 25.6 GB/s, and it supports DDR4 memory instead of DDR3. These factors make the i3-10100 the better choice for general-purpose desktop tasks, productivity applications, and any workload that benefits from higher single-thread performance and faster memory.

The Verdict

The data shows two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core i7-4870HQ should be chosen by users who prioritize multi-core rendering performance, as it beats the i3-10100 by over 109% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. It also has a higher average benchmark score of 1769 versus 1742, and it holds its own in single-core Cinebench tests, winning R20 and R23. The i7-4870HQ is an end-of-life mobile processor with a 47 W TDP, designed for laptops, and its performance in the database suggests it remains a capable option for rendering tasks even against a newer desktop part.

The Intel Core i3-10100 is the better pick for users who need general-purpose desktop performance, as shown by its wins in Geekbench multi-core and single-core tests. It scores 17.7% higher in Geekbench multi-core and 15.3% higher in Geekbench single-core, indicating a clear advantage in everyday computing scenarios. Its higher clocks, DDR4 memory support, and 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth make it a more modern choice, and it is still active in production. For workloads that are not heavily dependent on Cinebench-style rendering, the i3-10100's data suggests it is the more balanced processor, despite losing the head-to-head count 3 to 5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4870HQ has an average benchmark score of 1769, while the Intel Core i3-10100 has 1742.

Q: How many head-to-head benchmarks does each processor win?

A: The i7-4870HQ wins 5 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i3-10100 wins 3.

Q: What is the largest performance margin in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest margins are in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7-4870HQ scores 2253 versus 1076, a 109.4% delta.

Q: Does the i3-10100 win any single-core tests?

A: Yes, the i3-10100 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 88 versus 76, a 13.6% delta.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two processors?

A: The i3-10100 has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i7-4870HQ has 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the i7-4870HQ and the i3-10100 are at the 41st percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-4870HQ is built on the Haswell architecture with the codename Crystalwell, while the Intel Core i3-10100 uses the Comet Lake architecture. The i7-4870HQ uses a 22 nm process node, whereas the i3-10100 uses a 14 nm process node. The i7-4870HQ has 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 264 mm², while the i3-10100 does not have transistor or die size data recorded in the database. Both processors have the same cache hierarchy, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-4870HQ's integrated graphics are Intel HD 5200, while the i3-10100 uses UHD Graphics 630. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, but the i7-4870HQ is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1364 socket, while the i3-10100 is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1200.

Specification Differences

The base clock of the i3-10100 is 3.60 GHz, significantly higher than the i7-4870HQ's 2.50 GHz. The boost clock also favors the i3-10100 at 4.30 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. The TDP differs, with the i7-4870HQ rated at 47 W and the i3-10100 at 65 W. Memory support is another key difference: the i7-4870HQ supports DDR3 with a dual-channel memory bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-10100 supports DDR4 with a dual-channel memory bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The release dates are far apart, with the i7-4870HQ released on 2014-06-30 and the i3-10100 on 2020-04-29. The i7-4870HQ is end-of-life, while the i3-10100 is active in production. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SR1ZX for the i7-4870HQ and SRH3N for the i3-10100.