Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i3-9100HL Comparison

Intel Core i3-4170T and Intel Core i3-9100HL are two end-of-life desktop processors from Intel, separated by roughly four years of architectural evolution. The data shows a decisive performance advantage for the newer i3-9100HL, which wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons. However, the older i3-4170T is not without its own merits, particularly in its base clock speed and memory support. This analysis walks through the benchmark results, architectural differences, and use-case implications to determine which processor is better suited for specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture: the Intel Core i3-9100HL wins every single benchmark comparison. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the i3-9100HL scores 311 points against the i3-4170T’s 268 points, a delta of -13.8% for the older chip. This pattern repeats across the Cinebench R20 multi-core test, where the i3-9100HL scores 1299 versus 1120, and the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 3094 versus 2667. In all three multi-core tests, the deltaPct is consistently -13.8%, indicating a proportional performance gap.

The single-core results tell a similar story, though with slightly different margins. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-9100HL scores 183 against the i3-4170T’s 157, a delta of -14.2%. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the i3-9100HL at 436 versus 376, again a -13.8% delta. Interestingly, the Geekbench results are not included in the head-to-head data, but the individual benchmark scores show the i3-4170T achieving 1945 multi-core and 972 single-core, while the i3-9100HL has no Geekbench scores listed.

The average benchmark scores place both processors in a similar overall tier. The i3-4170T has an average benchmark score of 1072, while the i3-9100HL sits at 1065. This near-identical average is misleading, as it includes different benchmark suites. The i3-4170T’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-5287U with a deltaPct of 0, the AMD Athlon X4 880K at 0.1%, and the Intel Core i5-2310 at -0.1%. The i3-9100HL’s nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon W3580 at 0.1%, the Intel Core i5-2380P at 0.2%, and the Intel Core i5-4570TE at 0.3%. Both processors land in the 29-30th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are entry-level performers by modern standards.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-9100HL is the clear winner in every benchmark category. Its multi-core advantage of 13.8% across all Cinebench versions makes it the better choice for any workload that can utilize multiple cores, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or compiling code. The single-core advantage of 13.8% to 14.2% also makes it more responsive in everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light photo editing. The i3-9100HL’s higher core count — 4 cores versus 2 — directly contributes to this consistent lead.

The i3-4170T, despite losing every benchmark, has one significant advantage: its base clock speed. The i3-4170T runs at 3.20 GHz, while the i3-9100HL has a base clock of just 1.60 GHz. This means the older chip maintains a higher sustained frequency under load, which could benefit certain single-threaded tasks that are sensitive to clock speed rather than architectural efficiency. However, the i3-9100HL’s boost clock of 2.90 GHz partially mitigates this, and its newer architecture delivers better instructions-per-clock. The i3-4170T also has a lower TDP of 35 watts versus 25 watts for the i3-9100HL, though the newer chip is more power-efficient per unit of performance.

The i3-4170T’s higher base clock could also be advantageous in scenarios with very short bursts of activity, where the processor does not have time to reach boost clocks. Yet the benchmark data shows that even in single-core tests, the i3-9100HL outperforms it. The i3-4170T’s only real edge is in its compatibility with DDR3 memory, which might appeal to users with existing DDR3 systems who want to avoid a platform upgrade. But for raw computational performance, the i3-9100HL wins in every measurable way.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The i3-4170T uses the Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell, on a 22 nm process node. It features 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 177 mm². The i3-9100HL uses the Coffee Lake architecture, codenamed Coffee Lake, on a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 126 mm². The newer 14 nm process allows for a denser and more efficient design, even though the transistor count for the i3-9100HL is not listed.

The core configurations differ significantly. The i3-4170T has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-9100HL has 4 cores and 4 threads. This means the i3-4170T relies on Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads, while the i3-9100HL has four physical cores without Hyper-Threading. In multi-threaded workloads, four physical cores generally outperform two cores with Hyper-Threading, which explains the consistent 13.8% advantage.

Cache allocation also differs. Both processors share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core. However, the L3 cache is where they diverge: the i3-4170T has 3 MB shared, while the i3-9100HL has 6 MB shared. This doubling of L3 cache gives the newer chip a significant advantage in workloads that benefit from larger caches, such as database queries or complex simulations.

Memory support is another major difference. The i3-4170T supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i3-9100HL supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i3-9100HL also supports ECC memory, while the i3-4170T does not. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i3-4170T has Intel HD 4400, while the i3-9100HL has UHD Graphics 630. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100HL is faster in all multi-core benchmarks, winning Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests with a consistent deltaPct of -13.8% against the i3-4170T.

Q: Does the i3-4170T have any performance advantage?

A: The i3-4170T has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz compared to the i3-9100HL’s 1.60 GHz, which could benefit certain latency-sensitive tasks, but it loses every benchmark comparison in the data.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i3-4170T has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-9100HL has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3-9100HL’s four physical cores give it an advantage in multi-threaded workloads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-9100HL supports ECC memory. The i3-4170T does not list ECC memory support.

Q: How do their TDP ratings compare?

A: The i3-4170T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i3-9100HL has a lower TDP of 25 watts, making the newer chip more power-efficient.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each?

A: The i3-4170T has an average benchmark score of 1072, and the i3-9100HL has an average benchmark score of 1065. Both sit in the 29-30th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i3-4170T uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 177 mm². The i3-9100HL uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node with a die size of 126 mm². Core count differs: the i3-4170T has 2 cores, while the i3-9100HL has 4 cores. Both have 4 threads.

Base clock speeds are notably different: the i3-4170T runs at 3.20 GHz with no boost clock, while the i3-9100HL runs at 1.60 GHz base with a 2.90 GHz boost. TDP also differs, with the i3-4170T at 35 watts and the i3-9100HL at 25 watts. The socket types are incompatible: the i3-4170T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i3-9100HL uses Intel BGA 1440.

Cache allocation differs in L3: the i3-4170T has 3 MB shared, while the i3-9100HL has 6 MB shared. Memory support is different: the i3-4170T supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-9100HL supports DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support is present only on the i3-9100HL. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4400 for the i3-4170T versus UHD Graphics 630 for the i3-9100HL. Release dates are also different, with the i3-4170T released in 2015 and the i3-9100HL in 2019. The i3-9100HL has a launch MSRP of $225.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-9100HL outperforms the Intel Core i3-4170T in every single benchmark test. Across five Cinebench comparisons, the i3-9100HL wins with a consistent deltaPct of -13.8% to -14.2%. This performance advantage stems from its newer Coffee Lake architecture, four physical cores, doubled L3 cache, and faster DDR4 memory support. For any user prioritizing raw computational performance, the i3-9100HL is the clear choice.

The i3-4170T’s only advantages are its higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and its compatibility with DDR3 memory. These factors might appeal to users with existing DDR3 platforms who want to avoid a full system upgrade, or those who value sustained clock speeds over architectural efficiency. However, the benchmark results show that the i3-9100HL’s boost clock of 2.90 GHz, combined with its superior architecture, is enough to overcome the base clock deficit in all tested workloads.

The percentile rankings place both processors in the same tier — 30th percentile for the i3-4170T and 29th percentile for the i3-9100HL — and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1072 versus 1065). This suggests that in real-world usage, the difference between them may be less noticeable than the benchmark deltas imply. For users on a strict power budget, the i3-9100HL’s 25-watt TDP makes it more attractive than the i3-4170T’s 35-watt TDP. Ultimately, the data supports choosing the i3-9100HL for nearly all use cases, with the i3-4170T reserved for legacy DDR3 systems where its specific characteristics are a better fit.