Intel Core i3-13100E vs Intel Core i9-10885H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a surprisingly split picture between the Intel Core i3-13100E and the Intel Core i9-10885H. Out of eight head-to-head comparisons, the i9-10885H claims six wins, while the i3-13100E takes two. However, the magnitude of those victories tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the i9-10885H demonstrates a consistent, albeit narrow, advantage across all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9 scores 1219 against the i3's 1180, a 3.2% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 172 versus 166, a 3.5% edge for the i9. This consistency extends through R20 multi-core (5082 vs 4918, -3.2%) and R20 single-core (717 vs 694, -3.2%). The R23 results mirror this exactly: multi-core sees the i9 at 12102 against the i3's 11710, while single-core shows 1708 versus 1653, both at 3.2% margins. In every Cinebench iteration, the i9-10885H holds a steady advantage, but never by more than 3.5%.

The Geekbench results flip the script dramatically. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-13100E surges ahead with a score of 7025 against the i9's 6764, a 3.9% win. The single-core Geekbench test is where the i3 truly dominates: 2001 versus 1447, representing a massive 38.3% lead. This is not a marginal difference; it is a decisive generational leap in single-threaded performance. The i3's single-core score is 554 points higher, a gap that dwarfs any of the i9's Cinebench victories.

The average benchmark scores place these two processors remarkably close. The i3-13100E posts an average of 3668, while the i9-10885H sits at 3651. The delta between them is a mere 0.5% in favor of the i3. This near-parity in the aggregate, combined with the split nature of the individual results, indicates two CPUs with distinct performance profiles rather than one being categorically superior. The i9 wins consistently but narrowly in Cinebench; the i3 wins decisively in Geekbench, particularly in single-core workloads. The percentile rankings reinforce this closeness: the i3 sits at the 56th percentile of all CPUs, while the i9 is at the 55th.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100E has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 3668, compared to the Intel Core i9-10885H's 3651. This represents a 0.5% difference in favor of the i3.

Q: How big is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The i3-13100E scores 2001 in Geekbench single-core, while the i9-10885H scores 1447. The i3 leads by 38.3%, a difference of 554 points.

Q: Does the i9-10885H win any benchmark by a large margin?

A: No. The i9-10885H's largest victory is a 3.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. All other Cinebench wins for the i9 are at 3.2% margins.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100E is listed as "Active" production status, while the Intel Core i9-10885H is marked as "End-of-life."

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i9-10885H does not.

Q: How do these processors compare in terms of PCIe generation?

A: The i3-13100E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-10885H supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-10885H is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads, both multi-core and single-core, across every version tested (R15, R20, R23). If the task involves rendering, 3D modeling, or any application that relies on Cinebench-style multi-threaded performance, the i9's consistent 3.2% edge makes it the preferred choice. Its eight cores and sixteen threads provide a foundation that, while older, still delivers solid throughput in these specific tests.

The Intel Core i3-13100E wins decisively in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance where it is 38.3% ahead. This makes it the better option for applications that depend heavily on single-threaded responsiveness, such as everyday desktop tasks, light productivity, or legacy software that cannot utilize multiple cores effectively. The i3's Geekbench multi-core win of 3.9% also indicates that in this particular benchmark suite, it handles parallel workloads better than the i9, despite having only four cores and eight threads.

The use-case split is clear. For Cinebench-centric workloads, the i9-10885H is the data-backed choice. For Geekbench-centric workloads, especially those emphasizing single-core performance, the i3-13100E is superior. The i3 also benefits from being an active product, whereas the i9 is end-of-life, which may matter for long-term system planning.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification. The i3-13100E has four cores and eight threads, while the i9-10885H has eight cores and sixteen threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the i3 runs at 3.30 GHz, while the i9 runs at 2.40 GHz. Boost clocks reverse this trend: the i3 boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the i9 boosts higher to 5.30 GHz.

Thermal design power (TDP) also separates them. The i3-13100E has a TDP of 60, while the i9-10885H has a TDP of 45. This is notable because the i9 offers double the cores at a lower TDP, though it is a mobile processor. The sockets are incompatible: the i3 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the i9 uses Intel BGA 1440.

Memory support differs as well. The i3 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i9 supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the i9 lists a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the i3 does not specify a bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported by the i3 but not the i9. PCIe generations differ: the i3 has Gen 5, the i9 has Gen 3, both with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are different models: the i3 has UHD Graphics 730, while the i9 has UHD Graphics 630. Market segments differ (Desktop for the i3, Mobile for the i9). Release dates are April 2020 for the i9 and January 2023 for the i3. The launch MSRP for the i3-13100E is $480, while the i9-10885H has a launch MSRP of $556.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is substantial. The i3-13100E is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-S, and belongs to the Core 13th Gen series. The i9-10885H uses Comet Lake architecture, specifically Comet Lake-H, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen series. This represents a three-generation jump for the i3.

Process node technology differs notably. The i3-13100E is fabricated on a 10 nm process, while the i9-10885H uses a 14 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel. Die sizes also differ: the i3 has a die size of 163 mm², while the i9 has a larger die at 206 mm².

Cache layouts present a clear divergence. The i3 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having fewer cores, the i3's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to its strong single-core Geekbench performance.

The generation codenames reflect the different design philosophies: the i3 is listed as "Core i3 (Raptor Lake)" and the i9 as "Core i9 (Comet Lake-H)". Neither processor has a multiplier unlocked, so overclocking is not officially supported. Both lack a vCache 3D option. The i3's part number is SRMFR, while the i9's is SRJ8J.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload priorities. For users whose primary applications are Cinebench-based—rendering, 3D animation, or CPU-bound video encoding that scales with threads—the Intel Core i9-10885H is the statistically superior option. It wins all six Cinebench tests by a consistent 3.2% to 3.5% margin. Its eight cores and sixteen threads provide the parallel processing foundation that these workloads demand.

For users prioritizing single-threaded performance, the Intel Core i3-13100E is the definitive winner. Its 38.3% Geekbench single-core lead is the largest performance gap in this comparison by an order of magnitude. It also wins Geekbench multi-core by 3.9%, suggesting that its newer architecture more than compensates for having half the cores and threads.

The i3-13100E also offers practical advantages beyond raw benchmarks. It is an active product, while the i9-10885H is end-of-life. It supports ECC memory, DDR5, and PCIe Gen 5, all of which the i9 lacks. Its smaller die size and newer 10 nm process node indicate a more modern manufacturing approach. The i9 counters with a higher boost clock (5.30 GHz vs 4.40 GHz) and a lower TDP (45 vs 60), which may matter in thermally constrained environments.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—3668 for the i3 versus 3651 for the i9—making the aggregate performance a statistical tie. The decision ultimately hinges on which benchmark suite best represents the target workload. Cinebench-heavy workflows point to the i9; Geekbench-heavy or single-thread-sensitive workflows point to the i3. The data does not support a universal winner, only a workload-specific one. The i3-13100E is the forward-looking choice for modern desktop builds; the i9-10885H is the thread-rich option for legacy mobile platforms.