CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-9100E and Intel Core i3-8300T are both 4-core, 4-thread Coffee Lake desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1151 platform, but benchmark results show a clear and consistent performance gap. The i3-9100E wins every single head-to-head benchmark comparison, with margins that remain remarkably stable across all tests. The data indicates a decisive victory for the i3-9100E, though the i3-8300T’s lower power draw may appeal to specific use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The performance disparity between these two CPUs is uniform and substantial. In Cinebench R15, the i3-9100E scores 559 points in the multicore test against the i3-8300T's 469 points, a 19.2% advantage. The single-core R15 results tell a similar story: 78 points for the i3-9100E versus 66 points for the i3-8300T, an 18.2% lead.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds with striking precision. The i3-9100E achieves 2330 points multicore, while the i3-8300T manages 1955 points, again a 19.2% difference. In single-core R20, the scores are 328 and 275 respectively, representing a 19.3% gap, the largest margin recorded in any test. This consistency suggests a fundamental clock-speed or architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend with identical margins. The multicore result shows 5549 points for the i3-9100E versus 4656 points for the i3-8300T (19.2% delta), and the single-core test yields 783 against 657 (19.2% delta). Across all six head-to-head benchmarks, the i3-9100E wins decisively, with the smallest margin being 18.2% and the largest 19.3%. No benchmark in the dataset favors the i3-8300T.

The average benchmark scores paint a slightly closer picture due to additional data points. The i3-9100E averages 1605 points, while the i3-8300T averages 1586 points, a gap of just 1.2%. However, this narrower average is influenced by the i3-8300T’s Geekbench results, 3436 multicore and 1171 singlecore, which have no direct counterpart in the i3-9100E’s dataset. When comparing only the shared Cinebench tests, the i3-9100E’s advantage is unambiguous and large.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental design: 4 cores, 4 threads, a 14 nm process node, and a 126 mm² die size produced by Intel. They also feature identical L1 and L2 cache configurations, 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively. The integrated GPU is the UHD Graphics 630 in both cases, and memory support is DDR4 with dual-channel operation and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory and offer Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The key architectural distinction lies in the L3 cache and clock speeds. The i3-9100E has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i3-8300T offers a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache. This 2 MB difference favors the i3-8300T on paper, yet the benchmark data shows the i3-9100E outperforming it by roughly 19% in every test. The larger cache on the i3-8300T does not translate into a competitive advantage in these workloads.

Clock speeds explain the performance gap more directly. The i3-9100E has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i3-8300T has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, slightly higher than the i3-9100E’s base, but it lacks a listed boost clock, which likely caps its maximum frequency below the i3-9100E’s boost capability. The i3-9100E’s 3.70 GHz boost clock provides a significant headroom advantage that manifests clearly in single-threaded and multi-threaded benchmarks alike.

Power consumption is another notable difference. The i3-9100E has a 65 W TDP, while the i3-8300T is rated at 35 W TDP. This makes the i3-8300T a lower-power option, presumably with reduced thermal output and potentially lower cooling requirements. The i3-9100E’s higher TDP aligns with its higher boost clock and superior benchmark performance. Both are end-of-life products, with the i3-8300T released in April 2018 and the i3-9100E released later in August 2018. The i3-9100E carries a launch MSRP of $122, while the i3-8300T has a launch MSRP of $138.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-9100E is the clear winner across all measured performance categories. Its 19.2% multicore advantage in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 indicates that multi-threaded workloads, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or batch processing, will complete noticeably faster on this chip. The single-core margins of 18.2% to 19.3% are equally impressive, suggesting that lightly-threaded tasks like general desktop responsiveness, web browsing, or office applications will also benefit significantly.

The i3-8300T’s only discernible advantage comes from its power envelope. At 35 W TDP versus 65 W for the i3-9100E, the i3-8300T draws substantially less power. This could be relevant for systems with strict thermal budgets, compact builds with limited cooling, or environments where energy efficiency is prioritized over raw performance. However, the benchmark data shows no workload where the i3-8300T achieves a performance win. Its larger 8 MB L3 cache does not compensate for the clock speed deficit in any tested scenario.

For users comparing against the broader market, both CPUs sit at the 39th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are entry-level performers by current standards. The i3-9100E’s nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 (1609 average score, -0.2% delta) and the Intel Core i7-10610U (1611 average score, -0.3% delta), placing it in a tight cluster of similar performers. The i3-8300T is similarly positioned, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i7-1060G7 (1591 average score, -0.3% delta) and the AMD Opteron 6282 SE (1569 average score, 1.1% delta).

The Verdict

Based strictly on benchmark data, the Intel Core i3-9100E is the superior processor for any performance-sensitive application. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons with margins between 18.2% and 19.3%, despite having a smaller L3 cache (6 MB versus 8 MB) and a higher TDP (65 W versus 35 W). The i3-9100E’s boost clock of 3.70 GHz provides the decisive edge, and its average benchmark score of 1605 exceeds the i3-8300T’s 1586 by 1.2%.

Users who prioritize raw speed should choose the i3-9100E without hesitation. It delivers consistently faster results in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, making it a better fit for content creation, software compilation, or any workload that can leverage its clock speed advantage. The i3-8300T’s lower TDP makes it a potential choice for low-power or thermally constrained systems, but the data shows no performance benefit to justify that trade-off.

The i3-8300T’s higher launch MSRP of $138, compared to $122 for the i3-9100E, further complicates its position. It costs more at launch while performing worse in every benchmark. The only scenario where the i3-8300T makes sense is one where the 35 W power draw is a hard requirement and the 19% performance loss is acceptable. For all other cases, the i3-9100E is the data-driven choice.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU performs better in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100E scores 5549 points, which is 19.2% higher than the i3-8300T’s 4656 points.

Q: Does the i3-8300T have a larger cache than the i3-9100E?

A: Yes, the i3-8300T has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-9100E has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The i3-9100E has a TDP of 65 W, while the i3-8300T has a TDP of 35 W.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the i3-8300T wins?

A: No. Across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the i3-9100E wins every one, with margins ranging from 18.2% to 19.3%.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i3-9100E has an average score of 1605, with the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 at 1609 (-0.2%) and Intel Core i7-10610U at 1611 (-0.3%). The i3-8300T averages 1586, with the Intel Core i7-1060G7 at 1591 (-0.3%) and AMD Opteron 6282 SE at 1569 (1.1%).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-9100E and the Intel Core i3-8300T support ECC memory and have dual-channel DDR4 support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.