Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Core i7-4710HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8100T and Intel Core i7-4710HQ represent two distinct eras of Intel mobile and desktop computing, with the former being a modern low-power desktop part and the latter a high-end mobile processor from the Haswell generation. The benchmark data presents a fascinating split: the older i7-4710HQ dominates the Cinebench suite, while the newer i3-8100T decisively wins in Geekbench. This head-to-head comparison reveals that architectural generation and workload type play a more significant role than core count alone, with each processor holding clear advantages in specific scenarios.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding is the complete divergence in benchmark outcomes. The Intel Core i7-4710HQ wins six of the eight head-to-head tests, all of which come from the Cinebench family. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-4710HQ scores 472 against the i3-8100T’s 450, a 4.7% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar margin, with scores of 66 and 63 respectively, translating to a 4.5% advantage for the i7. This pattern persists across newer Cinebench versions: R20 multicore shows 1970 versus 1876 (a 4.8% delta), and R23 multicore shows 4692 versus 4467, again a 4.8% difference. The i7-4710HQ’s single-core lead in R20 (278 vs 264) and R23 (662 vs 630) also sits at exactly 5% and 4.8% respectively. These consistent margins across all Cinebench versions suggest a fundamental advantage in rendering workloads for the older chip.

However, the Geekbench results tell an entirely different story. The i3-8100T wins both Geekbench tests by a substantial 16.6% margin. In multicore, it scores 3142 against the i7-4710HQ’s 2694, a difference of 448 points. The single-core test shows 1104 versus 947, a 157-point gap. This 16.6% delta is more than three times larger than any of the i7’s Cinebench victories, indicating that the i3-8100T has a considerable architectural edge in the specific workloads Geekbench measures. The average benchmark scores reflect this split: the i3-8100T averages 1500 across all tests, while the i7-4710HQ averages 1473, meaning the Geekbench wins push the i3 into a slightly higher overall position despite losing the majority of individual tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-4710HQ is the clear winner for Cinebench-based rendering tasks. Its 4.7% to 5% lead across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore tests indicates that the older Haswell architecture, with its 8 threads, handles the Cinebench rendering engine more efficiently. This is particularly notable because the i7-4710HQ has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz compared to the i3-8100T’s 3.10 GHz, yet it still outperforms in these tests. The i7’s boost clock of 3.50 GHz likely contributes to its single-core wins, but the consistent multicore advantage suggests its Hyper-Threading technology (8 threads versus 4) provides a tangible benefit in multi-threaded rendering workloads.

The Intel Core i3-8100T wins decisively in Geekbench, which is designed to simulate real-world applications like encryption, image processing, and machine learning tasks. The 16.6% lead in both single-core and multicore Geekbench tests is substantial and points to the Coffee Lake architecture’s superior IPC (instructions per clock) and memory subsystem performance. The i3-8100T’s support for DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, compared to the i7-4710HQ’s DDR3 at 25.6 GB/s, likely plays a major role in these results. For users running general productivity, web browsing, and office applications, the i3-8100T is clearly the better performer. The data suggests that the i7-4710HQ is specialized for rendering tasks, while the i3-8100T is more versatile for everyday computing and modern application workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural generations. The i3-8100T is built on Coffee Lake, a 14 nm process, while the i7-4710HQ uses the older Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process. This process node difference is significant, as the 14 nm node allows for denser transistor packing and lower power consumption. The die sizes reflect this: the i3-8100T measures 126 mm², while the i7-4710HQ is much larger at 264 mm². The i7-4710HQ contains 1,400 million transistors, a figure not provided for the i3-8100T, but the smaller die area of the Coffee Lake chip indicates a more efficient design.

The core and thread configurations differ considerably. Both have 4 physical cores, but the i7-4710HQ supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i3-8100T is limited to 4 threads. This gives the i7 a theoretical advantage in heavily multi-threaded workloads, which is reflected in its Cinebench multicore wins. The cache hierarchies are identical in structure: both have 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The memory support is a major differentiator: the i3-8100T uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-4710HQ uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. This memory bandwidth advantage for the i3-8100T is likely a key factor in its Geekbench dominance.

The integrated graphics also differ: the i3-8100T features UHD Graphics 630, while the i7-4710HQ has Intel HD 4600. The newer UHD 630 benefits from the architectural improvements in the Coffee Lake generation. The i3-8100T also supports ECC memory, which the i7-4710HQ does not, making it more suitable for entry-level server or workstation use. Both processors use Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, and both have locked multipliers, so neither can be overclocked.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the socket. The i3-8100T uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop platform, while the i7-4710HQ uses Intel BGA 1364, which is a soldered mobile socket. This means the i3-8100T is a replaceable desktop CPU, while the i7-4710HQ is permanently attached to a laptop motherboard. The market segments reflect this: the i3-8100T is classified as Desktop, and the i7-4710HQ as Mobile.

The base clocks differ significantly: the i3-8100T runs at 3.10 GHz with no boost clock, while the i7-4710HQ has a base of 2.50 GHz and a boost of 3.50 GHz. The i7’s boost capability gives it extra performance headroom for bursty workloads, but the i3’s higher sustained base clock benefits constant-load scenarios. The TDPs are 35 W for the i3-8100T and 47 W for the i7-4710HQ, making the i3 more power-efficient per watt, though the i7’s higher power budget supports its additional threads and boost behavior.

The release dates are four years apart: the i7-4710HQ launched in March 2014, and the i3-8100T in April 2018. The i3-8100T has a launch MSRP of $117, while no MSRP is available for the i7-4710HQ. Both are end-of-life products. The part numbers are SR3Y8 for the i3-8100T and SR1PX for the i7-4710HQ. The i3-8100T supports DDR4 memory, while the i7-4710HQ is limited to DDR3. The i3-8100T also offers ECC memory support, which the i7 does not. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache sizes per core and the same 6 MB shared L3 cache.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore, and by how much?

A: The Intel Core i7-4710HQ wins Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 4692, compared to the i3-8100T’s 4467. This represents a 4.8% advantage for the i7-4710HQ.

Q: Why does the i3-8100T win Geekbench so decisively despite losing most other tests?

A: The i3-8100T scores 3142 in Geekbench multicore and 1104 in single-core, versus 2694 and 947 for the i7-4710HQ. This 16.6% lead is attributed to its newer Coffee Lake architecture and DDR4 memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, which accelerates the modern workload simulations in Geekbench.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: Both processors have 4 physical cores. The i7-4710HQ supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i3-8100T is limited to 4 threads. This thread advantage helps the i7-4710HQ in Cinebench multicore tests.

Q: What is the TDP difference, and what does it imply?

A: The i3-8100T has a TDP of 35 W, while the i7-4710HQ has a TDP of 47 W. The lower TDP of the i3-8100T makes it more power-efficient, which is beneficial for compact desktop builds, while the i7’s higher TDP supports its higher boost clock and additional threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The i3-8100T supports ECC memory, while the i7-4710HQ does not. This makes the i3-8100T more suitable for entry-level server or workstation applications where data integrity is critical.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor, and how does it relate to their percentiles?

A: The i3-8100T has an average benchmark score of 1500, and the i7-4710HQ has 1473. Both are in the 38th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they perform similarly overall, but the i3-8100T edges ahead by 27 points in the aggregate across all tests.