Intel Core i3-13100E vs Intel Core i9-9980HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a surprisingly close contest between these two Intel processors, despite their very different positions in the product stack. The Intel Core i9-9980HK, an older mobile flagship, edges out the newer desktop i3 in most Cinebench tests, but the i3-13100E dominates Geekbench, especially in single-core performance.

Starting with Cinebench R15, the i9-9980HK takes the multicore test with a score of 1193 against the i3-13100E's 1180, a margin of 1.1%. The single-core R15 result is similarly tight, with the i9 posting 168 versus 166 for the i3, a 1.2% advantage. These are narrow wins, but they set a pattern that repeats across the Cinebench suite.

Cinebench R20 shows the same story. The i9-9980HK scores 4971 in multicore, while the i3-13100E manages 4918, a 1.1% gap. In single-core R20, the i9 leads 701 to 694, a 1% difference. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23 as well, where the i9 posts 11836 multicore and 1671 single-core, against the i3's 11710 and 1653, both results being 1.1% behind.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative entirely. In Geekbench multicore, the i3-13100E scores 7025, which is 5.1% ahead of the i9-9980HK's 6687. The single-core Geekbench result is a blowout: the i3 scores 2001, a full 44.1% higher than the i9's 1389. This is the single largest performance gap between the two processors in any test.

Looking at the broader database context, the i3-13100E holds a 56th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the i9-9980HK sits at the 55th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are close, with the i3 at 3668 and the i9 at 3577. The i3's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7251 (0.1% behind) and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X (0.1% behind), while the i9's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C, also 0.1% behind. Both processors are essentially peers in the overall database rankings, which makes the head-to-head results all the more interesting.

The i3-13100E wins 2 of the 8 head-to-head tests, while the i9-9980HK wins 6. However, the magnitude of the i3's Geekbench single-core victory is so large that it outweighs the narrow Cinebench margins. The data shows a processor that wins most tests by about 1%, but loses one test by 44%. That is not a typical pattern.

The Cinebench results suggest that the i9-9980HK's additional cores and threads do provide a real, if modest, advantage in rendering workloads. The i3-13100E's newer architecture, however, delivers a massive single-core advantage in Geekbench, which likely reflects better instruction-level efficiency and higher per-core throughput.

The Verdict

The data points to a split decision, and the right choice depends entirely on the workload. For users running Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the i9-9980HK is the safer pick. It wins every Cinebench test, multicore and single-core alike, by roughly 1%. That is a consistent, if small, edge in a specific application family.

For users whose work or play involves Geekbench-style workloads, the i3-13100E is clearly superior. Its 44.1% lead in Geekbench single-core and 5.1% lead in Geekbench multicore are far larger than any advantage the i9 can claim. The i3 also has the higher average benchmark score at 3668 versus 3577, and a slightly better percentile ranking at 56 versus 55.

The i9-9980HK is an end-of-life mobile processor. The i3-13100E is an active desktop part. That production status matters for system builders planning long-term use or future upgrades. The i3 also supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i9 is limited to DDR4. The i3 offers ECC memory support, which the i9 does not. The i3's PCIe Gen 5 interface is two generations newer than the i9's Gen 3.

The i9-9980HK has an unlocked multiplier, which the i3 does not. For overclockers, that is a meaningful feature, but the i9's mobile platform and BGA 1440 socket limit its upgrade potential. The i3's LGA 1700 socket is a desktop standard with far more motherboard options.

There is no launch MSRP recorded for the i9-9980HK in the database, while the i3-13100E carries a launch MSRP of $480. That figure should be considered in context, but the i3's active production status and newer platform make it the more future-proof choice for most desktop builders.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial. The i3-13100E uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, while the i9-9980HK uses Coffee Lake on a 14 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process node difference is significant for efficiency and transistor density.

The i3-13100E has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i9-9980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads, exactly double. The i3 compensates with a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus the i9's 2.40 GHz, but the i9's boost clock of 5.00 GHz exceeds the i3's 4.40 GHz. The i9 also carries a lower TDP of 45 watts compared to the i3's 60 watts, which is notable given that the i9 is a mobile part.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i3-13100E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The i9-9980HK has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a larger 16 MB shared L3. The i9's larger L3 pool likely helps it in some multi-threaded workloads, but the i3's newer core design may use its smaller cache more efficiently.

The i3-13100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The i9-9980HK supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported by the i3 but not the i9. The i3's PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 CPU lanes contrasts with the i9's PCIe Gen 3, a difference that matters for storage and GPU bandwidth.

The integrated graphics also differ, with the i3 featuring UHD Graphics 730 and the i9 featuring UHD 630. The die sizes are close, 163 mm² for the i3 and 149 mm² for the i9, despite the different process nodes. The i3's socket is Intel Socket 1700, while the i9 uses Intel BGA 1440, meaning the i9 is soldered and not upgradeable.

The i3 is from the Core 13th Gen series, while the i9's series field is not recorded. The i9's generation is listed as Core i9 (Coffee Lake-HR), and the i3's generation as Core i3 (Raptor Lake). The i9's part number is SRFD0, and the i3's is SRMFR. The i9 was released in April 2019, while the i3 came in January 2023.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i9-9980HK wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, including all six Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. The Intel Core i3-13100E wins the remaining 2 tests, both in Geekbench.

Q: How large is the i3-13100E's advantage in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i3-13100E scores 2001 in Geekbench single-core, which is 44.1% higher than the i9-9980HK's 1389. This is the largest performance gap between the two processors in any recorded test.

Q: Does the i9-9980HK support DDR5 memory?

A: No. The i9-9980HK supports only DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i3-13100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: No. The i3-13100E has an active production status, while the i9-9980HK is end-of-life. This makes the i3 the more viable option for new system builds.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i9-9980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads, double the i3-13100E's 4 cores and 8 threads. However, the i3 has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus the i9's 2.40 GHz.

Q: What is the i3-13100E's launch MSRP?

A: The i3-13100E has a launch MSRP of $480. No launch MSRP is recorded for the i9-9980HK in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-9980HK is the winner in Cinebench workloads. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and single-core, the i9 posts consistently higher scores, with margins between 1% and 1.2%. For rendering tasks that scale with Cinebench, the i9's 8 cores and 16 threads provide a real, measurable advantage. Its 16 MB of shared L3 cache likely contributes to its multicore performance. The i9's unlocked multiplier also gives overclocking headroom that the i3 lacks, which could widen its lead in tuned systems.

The i3-13100E is the winner in Geekbench workloads. Its 44.1% single-core lead and 5.1% multicore lead are decisive. The i3's newer Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process delivers far better per-core efficiency than the i9's older Coffee Lake design on 14 nm. The i3 also benefits from faster memory options, supporting DDR5 in addition to DDR4, and from PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. For workloads that favor single-threaded performance, such as many everyday applications and certain games, the i3 is clearly the stronger choice.

The i3 also wins on platform considerations. Its LGA 1700 socket is an active desktop platform with ongoing motherboard support, while the i9's BGA 1440 socket is a soldered mobile design with no upgrade path. The i3's ECC memory support and dual DDR4/DDR5 compatibility add flexibility for workstation-style builds. The i3's active production status means it remains available for new systems, unlike the end-of-life i9.

For users who already have a compatible motherboard for either platform, the decision narrows to workload. Rendering-heavy workflows lean toward the i9. General productivity, single-threaded applications, and modern platform features lean toward the i3. The database's average benchmark scores favor the i3, 3668 to 3577, and its percentile ranking is one point higher, 56 to 55. Those are narrow margins, but they tilt the overall assessment toward the i3-13100E as the more balanced processor.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The i3-13100E has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i9-9980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for the i3 and 2.40 GHz for the i9. Boost clocks are 4.40 GHz for the i3 and 5.00 GHz for the i9. TDP is 60 watts for the i3 and 45 watts for the i9.

Process nodes differ, with the i3 on 10 nm and the i9 on 14 nm. Die sizes are 163 mm² for the i3 and 149 mm² for the i9. Cache configurations are distinct: the i3 has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core with 12 MB shared L3, while the i9 has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core with 16 MB shared L3.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The i3 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the i9 supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but memory bandwidth is recorded only for the i9 at 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported by the i3 but not the i9. PCIe generations differ, with the i3 on Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes and the i9 on Gen 3.

The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 for the i3 and UHD 630 for the i9. Sockets are Intel Socket 1700 for the i3 and Intel BGA 1440 for the i9. Market segments are desktop for the i3 and mobile for the i9. Production status is active for the i3 and end-of-life for the i9. The i3's multiplier is locked, while the i9's is unlocked. Release dates are January 2023 for the i3 and April 2019 for the i9. The i3 has a recorded launch MSRP of $480, while the i9 has none recorded.