Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Core i7-4760HQ Comparison

Intel Core i7-4760HQ vs Intel Core i3-8100T

The database comparison between these two Intel processors shows a clear pattern: the older mobile i7-4760HQ outscores the newer desktop i3-8100T in every recorded Cinebench test. Despite being released over four years earlier and targeting a different market segment, the i7-4760HQ holds a consistent advantage of roughly 20 percent across all six benchmark entries. The i3-8100T does offer a more modern platform with DDR4 support and a lower power envelope, but the raw performance data favors the i7-4760HQ across the board.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test opens with the i7-4760HQ scoring 539 against the i3-8100T's 450, a 19.8 percent lead. The single-core R15 result is even more pronounced: 76 versus 63, a 20.6 percent advantage. This pattern holds steady through every subsequent test generation.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-4760HQ posts 2249 multi-core and 317 single-core, while the i3-8100T manages 1876 multi-core and 264 single-core. The deltas are 19.9 percent and 20.1 percent respectively. The most recent Cinebench R23 results continue the trend: 5355 versus 4467 in multi-core (19.9 percent) and 756 versus 630 in single-core (20 percent).

All six head-to-head benchmarks go to the i7-4760HQ. The i3-8100T does not win a single test in this comparison. The consistency of the gap, hovering between 19.8 and 20.6 percent across different Cinebench versions, suggests a structural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i7-4760HQ has eight threads against the i3-8100T's four, which explains the multi-core edge. The single-core lead is more surprising, given the i3-8100T's higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, but the i7-4760HQ's boost clock of 3.30 GHz and older Haswell architecture evidently deliver superior single-thread performance in these tests.

Average benchmark scores place the i7-4760HQ at 1549 and the i3-8100T at 1500. Both processors sit at the 38th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite the head-to-head disparity. The i7-4760HQ's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4690S (1551, -0.1 percent), Intel Core i3-9300 (1554, -0.3 percent), Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (1557, -0.5 percent), and AMD FX-8350 (1557, -0.5 percent). The i3-8100T's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-3770S (1498, 0.1 percent), Intel Core i5-4590S (1493, 0.5 percent), AMD Opteron 6344 (1492, 0.6 percent), and Intel Core i7-8665U (1513, -0.8 percent). These rival lists show that both chips compete with older quad-core parts, but the i7-4760HQ edges out its contemporary competition while the i3-8100T sits slightly below its nearest neighbors.

FAQ

Q: Why does the older i7-4760HQ beat the newer i3-8100T in every Cinebench test?

A: The i7-4760HQ has 8 threads compared to the i3-8100T's 4 threads, which directly benefits multi-core workloads. For single-core tests, the i7-4760HQ's boost clock of 3.30 GHz and its Haswell architecture outperform the i3-8100T's fixed 3.10 GHz clock, resulting in a 20 percent single-core lead.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth?

A: The i3-8100T has a clear advantage here. It supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-4760HQ uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the newer platform's higher bandwidth could matter for memory-intensive tasks.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. Both are end-of-life products. The i7-4760HQ was released in January 2014, while the i3-8100T came out in April 2018. Neither is currently manufactured, so buyers would be looking at used or surplus stock.

Q: Does the i3-8100T support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the i3-8100T has ECC memory support, which is unusual for a consumer chip. The i7-4760HQ does not support ECC memory. This makes the i3-8100T potentially useful for entry-level server or workstation builds where error correction is valued.

Q: What are the integrated graphics differences?

A: The i7-4760HQ includes Intel HD 5200 (commonly known as Iris Pro), while the i3-8100T has UHD Graphics 630. The database records no benchmark scores for either iGPU, so a direct performance comparison is not available from the recorded data.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare overall?

A: The i7-4760HQ has an average benchmark score of 1549, slightly above the i3-8100T's 1500. Both sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they are statistically similar in overall performance despite the head-to-head Cinebench results favoring the i7-4760HQ.

Architecture Differences

The i7-4760HQ is built on Intel's Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystalwell, using a 22 nm process node. It packs 1,400 million transistors into a 264 mm² die. The i3-8100T uses the newer Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, with a much smaller 126 mm² die and no recorded transistor count. The process shrink gives the i3-8100T a density advantage, but the i7-4760HQ compensates with a larger die and more transistors.

Cache configurations are identical on paper: both have 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, with 6 MB shared L3. This parity means the performance gap cannot be attributed to cache capacity. The difference lies in thread count and clock behavior. The i7-4760HQ offers 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i3-8100T is a true 4-core, 4-thread design without Hyper-Threading.

Memory architecture diverges significantly. The i7-4760HQ uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-8100T uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s. The i3-8100T also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7-4760HQ. Both use dual-channel memory buses and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel HD 5200 on the i7-4760HQ versus UHD Graphics 630 on the i3-8100T. The i7-4760HQ's graphics solution was notable for its Iris Pro branding, but the database records no comparative iGPU benchmarks for these two chips.

Socket and market positioning also separate the pair. The i7-4760HQ uses Intel BGA 1364, a soldered mobile socket, and is classified as a mobile processor. The i3-8100T uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket, and is classified as a desktop processor. This distinction matters for upgrade paths: the i3-8100T can be swapped in a compatible desktop board, while the i7-4760HQ is permanently attached to its laptop motherboard.

Specification Differences

The core count matches at 4 cores each, but thread counts differ: the i7-4760HQ has 8 threads versus the i3-8100T's 4. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for the i7-4760HQ and 3.10 GHz for the i3-8100T, with the i7-4760HQ boosting to 3.30 GHz while the i3-8100T has no boost clock recorded. Thermal design power favors the i3-8100T at 35 W versus the i7-4760HQ's 47 W.

Socket types are completely different: Intel BGA 1364 for the i7-4760HQ, Intel Socket 1151 for the i3-8100T. Memory support splits between DDR3 (i7-4760HQ) and DDR4 (i3-8100T), with bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the i3-8100T. Process nodes are 22 nm for the i7-4760HQ and 14 nm for the i3-8100T, with die sizes of 264 mm² and 126 mm² respectively.

The i7-4760HQ has no recorded launch MSRP, while the i3-8100T launched at an MSRP of $117. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither can be overclocked. Release dates sit over four years apart: January 2014 for the i7-4760HQ, April 2018 for the i3-8100T. The i7-4760HQ's part number is SR1BM, while the i3-8100T is SR3Y8.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the i7-4760HQ in raw computing performance. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests with margins between 19.8 and 20.6 percent. The 8-thread advantage makes it the stronger choice for multi-threaded applications like video rendering, compilation, and heavy multitasking. Its single-core dominance is equally decisive, which is unusual given the i3-8100T's higher base clock.

The i3-8100T counters with advantages in platform modernity. It uses DDR4 memory with 53 percent more bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s), supports ECC memory, and consumes 12 W less power (35 W versus 47 W). Its desktop socket allows for easier installation and potential future upgrades within the LGA 1151 platform. The launch MSRP of $117 also positions it as a lower-cost entry point, though the database does not record current pricing.

For users prioritizing raw computational throughput, the i7-4760HQ is the superior choice based on benchmark results. For those building a low-power desktop system with ECC memory support or wanting a modern memory interface, the i3-8100T offers legitimate strengths. The i7-4760HQ's mobile BGA socket means it cannot be repurposed into a desktop build, limiting its practical application to laptops or embedded systems where it already resides.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4760HQ wins in every recorded benchmark category. Multi-core workloads see a 19.8 to 19.9 percent advantage across R15, R20, and R23 Cinebench tests. Single-core performance also favors the i7-4760HQ by 20 to 20.6 percent. This makes it the clear pick for CPU-intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, and any workload that scales with thread count. The consistent 20 percent margin across both single and multi-core tests indicates the i7-4760HQ simply has more per-clock throughput in this comparison.

The i3-8100T wins on platform features rather than benchmark scores. Its DDR4 memory support delivers 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, a 50 percent improvement over the i7-4760HQ's 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-sensitive applications like file servers, NAS builds, or lightweight database work where data integrity matters more than peak speed. The 35 W TDP makes it easier to cool in small form factor desktop cases, and its LGA 1151 socket allows for user-replaceable installation.

The i3-8100T also wins on power efficiency when considering performance per watt. It delivers 1500 average benchmark score at 35 W, while the i7-4760HQ delivers 1549 at 47 W. The i7-4760HQ's performance advantage comes at a 34 percent higher power draw. For battery-powered laptops, the i3-8100T's lower consumption would extend runtime, but since the i7-4760HQ is a mobile chip and the i3-8100T is a desktop chip, they rarely compete for the same physical installation. The i3-8100T's desktop positioning and modern memory support make it the more versatile choice for new builds, while the i7-4760HQ remains a strong performer for its era.