Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Core i5-4590S Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows two 4-core, 4-thread desktop processors that land within 0.5% of each other in average score, yet they win in different places. The Intel Core i3-8100T takes six of the eight head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-4590S claims the two Geekbench results. The i3-8100T wins every Cinebench test, with margins ranging from 2.7% to 3.3%. The i5-4590S wins Geekbench multi-core by 4.5% and single-core by 2%.

The data suggests the i3-8100T is the better choice for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, where its lead is consistent across R15, R20, and R23. The i5-4590S is preferable for Geekbench-style general-purpose workloads. Both parts sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by only 7 points (1500 vs 1493). The i3-8100T's nearest rival is the Core i7-3770S, with a delta of 0.1%, meaning these two are effectively tied in overall performance. The i5-4590S trails its closest rival, the Core i5-7500T, by 0.7%.

For a new build, the i3-8100T offers the modern platform advantages of DDR4 memory and a 35W TDP. For an upgrade to an existing LGA 1150 system, the i5-4590S provides a drop-in option with a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i3-8100T has no boost clock listed, so its 3.10 GHz base clock is its maximum. The i5-4590S can reach higher frequencies when needed, but that does not translate into Cinebench wins. The i3-8100T is the winner in most tests, but the i5-4590S holds the edge in Geekbench.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100T has an average benchmark score of 1500, while the Intel Core i5-4590S scores 1493. The i3-8100T is 0.5% ahead, and both sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How does the i3-8100T perform in Cinebench R23 multi-core compared to the i5-4590S?

A: The i3-8100T scores 4467 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i5-4590S scores 4338. That is a 3% advantage for the i3-8100T.

Q: In which benchmark does the i5-4590S have its largest win?

A: The i5-4590S wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 3289 against 3142 for the i3-8100T, a margin of 4.5%.

Q: What are the memory support differences between the two?

A: The i3-8100T supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel operation and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4590S supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel operation, and its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which processor has ECC memory support?

A: The i3-8100T supports ECC memory, while the i5-4590S does not.

Architecture Differences

The i3-8100T is built on Coffee Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the i5-4590S uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel. The i3-8100T has a die size of 126 mm², while the i5-4590S has a die size of 177 mm². The i5-4590S lists 1,400 million transistors; the i3-8100T does not have a transistor count listed.

The i3-8100T uses the Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-4590S uses the Intel Socket 1150. This means they are not interchangeable on the same motherboard. Memory support differs: the i3-8100T uses DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-4590S uses DDR3 and does not have a memory bandwidth figure listed. The i3-8100T supports ECC memory, while the i5-4590S does not.

The i3-8100T includes UHD Graphics 630 as its integrated GPU, while the i5-4590S includes Intel HD 4600. The i3-8100T lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4590S lists PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count. The i3-8100T has a boost clock of null, meaning it operates at its base clock of 3.10 GHz. The i5-4590S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i3-8100T has a 35W TDP, while the i5-4590S has a 65W TDP. The i3-8100T was released in April 2018, while the i5-4590S was released in April 2014. The i3-8100T is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4590S has no production status listed.

Specification Differences

The base clocks differ: the i3-8100T runs at 3.10 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the i5-4590S runs at 2.90 GHz and boosts to 3.60 GHz. The TDP differs significantly: 35W for the i3-8100T versus 65W for the i5-4590S. The sockets are different: LGA 1151 for the i3-8100T versus LGA 1150 for the i5-4590S. Process nodes differ: 14 nm for the i3-8100T versus 22 nm for the i5-4590S. Die sizes are 126 mm² for the i3-8100T versus 177 mm² for the i5-4590S. The i5-4590S has 1,400 million transistors, while the i3-8100T has no listed transistor count.

Memory support differs: DDR4 for the i3-8100T with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, versus DDR3 for the i5-4590S with no bandwidth listed. ECC memory is supported on the i3-8100T, not on the i5-4590S. The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 630 on the i3-8100T versus Intel HD 4600 on the i5-4590S. The PCIe listing shows Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for the i3-8100T, while the i5-4590S lists only Gen 3. The launch MSRP for the i3-8100T is $117; the i5-4590S has no launch MSRP listed. The i3-8100T has a part number of SR3Y8, while the i5-4590S has no part number listed. The i3-8100T has a release date of 2018-04-01, while the i5-4590S has a release date of 2014-04-30.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i3-8100T wins all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 450 against 437 for the i5-4590S, a 3% lead. In R15 single-core, it scores 63 against 61, a 3.3% lead. In R20 multi-core, the scores are 1876 against 1821, a 3% advantage. In R20 single-core, the i3-8100T scores 264 against 257, a 2.7% lead. In R23 multi-core, it scores 4467 against 4338, a 3% margin. In R23 single-core, it scores 630 against 612, a 2.9% lead.

The i5-4590S wins both Geekbench tests. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 3289 against 3142, a 4.5% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1126 against 1104, a 2% lead. These two wins do not overcome the i3-8100T's six wins, but they show the i5-4590S holds a real advantage in Geekbench-style workloads.

The average benchmark scores confirm the closeness: the i3-8100T averages 1500, and the i5-4590S averages 1493. The i3-8100T's nearest rival is the Core i7-3770S at 1498, a 0.1% difference, meaning the i3-8100T is effectively tied with that older i7. The i5-4590S's nearest rival is the AMD Opteron 6344 at 1492, a 0.1% difference. The i5-4590S is also listed as a rival of the i3-8100T with a delta of 0.5%, and the i3-8100T is listed as a rival of the i5-4590S with a delta of -0.4%.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-8100T wins all Cinebench tests, making it the clear choice for rendering workloads that use Cinebench-style multi-threaded and single-threaded scoring. Its leads range from 2.7% to 3.3% across R15, R20, and R23. It also offers the modern platform of DDR4 memory, a 35W TDP, ECC support, and a smaller die size. It is the newer part, released in April 2018, and is marked end-of-life. Its launch MSRP is $117.

The i5-4590S wins Geekbench multi-core by 4.5% and single-core by 2%. This suggests it has an edge in workloads that resemble Geekbench's mix of integer, floating-point, and memory tests. It has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which the i3-8100T lacks, and it uses the older LGA 1150 socket with DDR3 memory. It was released in April 2014, four years earlier, and has a higher 65W TDP. Its average benchmark score of 1493 is only 7 points behind the i3-8100T, so the overall performance difference is small.

For a system that prioritizes Cinebench rendering, the i3-8100T is the stronger option. For a system that prioritizes Geekbench-style general computing, the i5-4590S holds the advantage. The i5-4590S also offers the boost clock, which may help in short, bursty single-threaded tasks. The i3-8100T counters with ECC memory support and lower power consumption. The data does not show a clear overall winner; it shows two parts with different strengths that match different workloads. The i3-8100T wins 6 out of 8 tests, but the i5-4590S wins the two Geekbench tests by a larger margin in multi-core (4.5%) than the i3-8100T's largest Cinebench win (3.3%).