Intel Core i3-1115G4 vs Intel Core i9-9990XE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-9990XE dominates every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, winning all six recorded tests against the Intel Core i3-1115G4. The data is unambiguous: the i9-9990XE leads by roughly 420% across the entire Cinebench suite, with no single test where the i3-1115G4 closes the gap to within even a fraction of the i9's score.

Starting with multi-core workloads, the i9-9990XE posts 2584 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 497 for the i3-1115G4, a delta of 419.9%. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the difference is nearly identical at 419.9%, with scores of 10767 and 2071 respectively. The R23 multi-core test shows 25637 against 4933, a 419.7% advantage. These results indicate that the i9-9990XE's 14 cores and 28 threads provide a massive parallel throughput advantage over the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads, as expected from the core count disparity.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though the margin is surprisingly consistent with the multi-core deltas. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i9-9990XE scores 364 while the i3-1115G4 manages only 70, a 420% difference. R20 single-core shows 1519 versus 292, a 420.2% delta, and R23 single-core records 3619 against 696, a 420% gap. The uniformity of these percentages across all tests suggests that the i9-9990XE's higher base clock of 4.00 GHz and boost clock of 5.10 GHz, combined with its Skylake architecture, deliver a consistent per-thread advantage over the i3's 2.20 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost on Tiger Lake silicon.

The i9-9990XE also holds an average benchmark score of 7415, placing it at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4570 at 7421 (a -0.1% delta), the AMD EPYC 7282 at 7409 (+0.1%), the Intel Core i9-9980XE at 7398 (+0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-7400 at 7469 (-0.7%). These tightly clustered scores indicate that the i9-9990XE sits in a crowded performance tier, with its average score within 1% of several very different processors. The i3-1115G4, meanwhile, records an average benchmark score of 6851, also at the 63rd percentile, with rivals including the AMD Athlon X4 970 at 6850 (0% delta), the AMD Athlon Silver 10 at 6849 (0%), the Intel Xeon W-2195 at 6892 (-0.6%), and the Intel Xeon Gold 6154 at 6803 (+0.7%). Despite the massive head-to-head deltas, both processors land at the same percentile rank, which reflects the different benchmark suites each participates in rather than any equivalence in raw performance.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two Intel processors is substantial, reflecting their different market positions and design goals. The Intel Core i9-9990XE uses the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-X codename, built on Intel's 14 nm process node. It belongs to the Core i9 Extreme family, specifically the X-Series 9th Generation, and targets the desktop segment through an Intel Socket 2066. The i3-1115G4, by contrast, uses the Tiger Lake architecture with the Tiger Lake-U codename, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm node. It is part of the Core i3 lineup under the Willow Cove-U generation and is designed for mobile platforms, using an Intel BGA 1449 socket.

The core configuration differs dramatically. The i9-9990XE packs 14 cores and 28 threads, while the i3-1115G4 offers only 2 cores and 4 threads. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the i9 provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a shared 19.25 MB L3 cache. The i3 allocates 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a smaller 6 MB shared L3. The i3's larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations reflect its newer architecture, but the i9's greater core count and larger total L3 cache give it a clear capacity advantage for multi-threaded workloads.

Memory support and I/O also separate these parts. The i9-9990XE supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the i3-1115G4 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. The i9 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 44 CPU-only lanes, whereas the i3 provides PCIe Gen 4 with only 4 CPU-only lanes. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and the i9 has no integrated graphics, while the i3 includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4. The i9's die size is not recorded, but the i3 measures 144 mm². Both processors come from Intel's foundry, and neither has transistor count data available.

The production statuses differ as well: the i9-9990XE is end-of-life, released in October 2018, while the i3-1115G4 remains active, released in September 2020. The i9 is multiplier-unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the i3 is locked. The i9's part number is SREZA, and the i3's is SRK08.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9990XE wins in every scenario where raw compute throughput matters. Its six head-to-head benchmark victories, all with deltas around 420%, make it the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering, scientific computing, video encoding, and any workload that can utilize its 14 cores and 28 threads. The quad-channel memory bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth further support memory-intensive tasks, and the 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes allow for extensive expansion in a desktop workstation context. Users with a socket 2066 motherboard and a need for extreme parallel performance will find the i9-9990XE's data compelling, particularly given its end-of-life status which suggests it is a mature platform.

The Intel Core i3-1115G4, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has its own domain of relevance based on the recorded data. Its 15 W TDP, versus the i9's 255 W TDP, indicates a fundamentally different power envelope suited for mobile devices. The integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 provides a display output capability that the i9 lacks entirely. The i3's support for LPDDR4X memory, alongside DDR4, points to low-power mobile designs, and its PCIe Gen 4 support with 4 lanes, while limited in count, offers newer interconnect technology. The i3 also has a smaller die at 144 mm², which contributes to its mobile suitability. For thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals take priority over absolute performance, the i3-1115G4 is the only viable option between these two, since the i9 cannot be installed in such platforms.

The benchmark data for the i3-1115G4 includes additional tests beyond the head-to-head set, such as Geekbench multi-core at 2465 and single-core at 1330, along with PassMark results covering data compression at 62444, data encryption at 3339, extended instructions at 4588, prime number finding at 25, floating point math at 10791, integer math at 17472, multithread at 5915, physics at 410, random string sorting at 7662, and single-thread at 2585. These figures provide a fuller picture of the i3's capabilities in specific tasks, though no comparable data exists for the i9 in the database, so direct cross-referencing is not possible.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9990XE has 14 cores and 28 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1115G4 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The i9-9990XE leads by approximately 420% in every Cinebench test, with deltas ranging from 419.7% in R23 multi-core to 420.2% in R20 single-core.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The i9-9990XE uses Intel's 14 nm process node, while the i3-1115G4 uses Intel's 10 nm process node.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the i9-9990XE nor the i3-1115G4 supports ECC memory per the recorded data.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i3-1115G4 includes integrated graphics, specifically Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4. The i9-9990XE has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The i9-9990XE is end-of-life, while the i3-1115G4 is active in production.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-9990XE | Intel Core i3-1115G4 |

|---------------|----------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 14 | 2 |

| Threads | 28 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 255 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Skylake-X | Tiger Lake-U |

| Generation | Core i9 Extreme (X-Series 9th Gen) | Core i3 (Willow Cove-U) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 144 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 19.25 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, LPDDR4X |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 44 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2018-10-18 | 2020-09-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $2800 | $281 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SREZA | SRK08 |

The Verdict

The data directs a clear split based on platform and workload. For desktop users with a socket 2066 motherboard who prioritize maximum multi-threaded performance, the Intel Core i9-9990XE is the definitive choice. Its 14 cores, 28 threads, 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, and 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes position it as a high-end workstation part, and its benchmark results show a consistent 420% advantage over the i3-1115G4 across all tested workloads. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for overclocking, and the end-of-life status means it is a mature platform with established support. The launch MSRP of $2800 reflects its extreme-tier positioning.

For mobile users, the Intel Core i3-1115G4 is the only practical option between these two, given its 15 W TDP, integrated graphics, and BGA 1449 socket designed for laptops. Its 10 nm process node, newer Tiger Lake architecture, and PCIe Gen 4 support provide modern features, and its benchmark scores, while far below the i9, are competitive with its nearest rivals in the database, including the AMD Athlon X4 970 and AMD Athlon Silver 10, both with a 0% delta in average score. The i3's launch MSRP of $281 places it in a completely different market tier.

The verdict from the recorded data is straightforward: choose the i9-9990XE for extreme desktop compute, choose the i3-1115G4 for efficient mobile computing. There is no overlap in their intended use cases, and the benchmark results reinforce that separation rather than challenging it.