CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the older Intel Core i7-4790S dominates in Cinebench workloads across the board, while the newer Intel Core i3-9100 takes decisive victories in Geekbench tests, particularly in single-core performance. Despite the i7-4790S being from an older generation with a lower base clock, its Hyper-Threading advantage and larger cache allow it to outperform the i3-9100 in most rendering tasks, yet the i3-9100's architectural efficiency gives it a substantial lead in Geekbench's specific workload patterns. Both processors sit at the 42nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar overall performance tier, but the nature of their wins points to different use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in this comparison is the Geekbench single-core test, where the Intel Core i3-9100 wins by a massive 22.2% margin, scoring 1290 versus the i7-4790S's 1056. This is the largest delta in any benchmark and highlights a fundamental difference in how the two architectures handle single-threaded workloads. The i3-9100 also wins the Geekbench multi-core test, though by a much narrower margin of 2.9%, posting 3403 against 3307.

The Cinebench results tell the opposite story. Across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, and R23), the i7-4790S wins every single test, both multi-core and single-core. The margins are consistent at approximately 4.9% for multi-core tests, with scores like 5911 versus 5622 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 2482 versus 2361 in R20 multi-core. The single-core Cinebench margins are also around 4.9% to 6%, with the i7-4790S scoring 834 versus 793 in R23 single-core and 84 versus 79 in R15 single-core.

This creates an interesting paradox. The i3-9100 beats the i7-4790S decisively in Geekbench single-core by 22.2%, yet loses in Cinebench single-core by roughly 5%. The data shows that the i7-4790S wins 6 out of 8 benchmarks, while the i3-9100 takes only 2. The average benchmark scores reflect this overall trend: the i7-4790S averages 1827, while the i3-9100 averages 1806.

Looking at the nearest rivals provides additional context. The i3-9100's closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-9320 with an average score of 1808, a delta of just -0.1%, making the two nearly identical in performance. The i7-4790S's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon D-1537 at 1830, a -0.2% delta. Both CPUs are positioned among older-generation parts rather than modern offerings, confirming their status as legacy desktop processors.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The i3-9100 is built on a 14 nm process node, while the i7-4790S uses the older 22 nm node. This process advantage translates directly into a smaller die size: the i3-9100 measures 126 mm² versus 177 mm² for the i7-4790S. The i7-4790S compensates with a much higher transistor count at 1,400 million, though the i3-9100's transistor count is not specified in the data.

Clock speeds favor the i3-9100, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the i7-4790S's 3.20 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. However, threading is where the i7-4790S pulls ahead: it offers 8 threads versus the i3-9100's 4 threads, despite both having 4 physical cores. This Hyper-Threading capability explains the i7-4790S's consistent lead in multi-core Cinebench tests.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The i3-9100 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4790S has 8 MB. Both share the same L1 cache of 64 KB per core and L2 cache of 256 KB per core. Memory support diverges completely: the i3-9100 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the i7-4790S uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and a lower memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i3-9100 supports ECC memory, while the i7-4790S does not.

The integrated graphics differ as well, with the i3-9100 featuring UHD Graphics 630 and the i7-4790S featuring Intel HD 4600. Sockets are incompatible: the i3-9100 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-4790S uses Intel Socket 1150. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both have locked multipliers. Neither processor is unlocked for overclocking.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core i7-4790S for most compute-heavy workloads. It wins every Cinebench test, both single and multi-core, with consistent margins of approximately 4.9% to 6%. This makes it the better choice for rendering, video encoding, and any application that relies on sustained multi-threaded performance. The 8 MB of L3 cache and 8 threads provide a tangible advantage in these scenarios.

However, the Intel Core i3-9100 is not without its strengths. Its 22.2% victory in Geekbench single-core is emphatic, and its 2.9% win in Geekbench multi-core shows it can compete in certain workload types. The i3-9100 also offers modern features like DDR4 memory support, ECC capability, and a smaller 14 nm die that runs cooler. For users prioritizing memory bandwidth, the 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s is a significant spec sheet advantage.

The percentile ranking places both at 42nd among all CPUs, suggesting they are functionally equivalent in overall performance tier. The average benchmark scores are close, with the i7-4790S at 1827 and the i3-9100 at 1806, a difference of just 1.2%. This near-parity in aggregate scores masks the divergent workload characteristics, so the choice depends entirely on whether the user's applications resemble Cinebench or Geekbench more closely.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790S wins 6 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i3-9100 wins 2.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two?

A: The i3-9100 wins Geekbench single-core by 22.2%, scoring 1290 versus 1056, which is the largest margin in any test.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores, but the i7-4790S has 8 threads while the i3-9100 has only 4 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-9100 supports DDR4 memory; the i7-4790S uses DDR3.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-4790S averages 1827, while the i3-9100 averages 1806, a difference of roughly 1.2%.

Q: Is there a difference in ECC memory support?

A: Yes, the i3-9100 supports ECC memory, while the i7-4790S does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-4790S is the clear winner in rendering and compute-heavy tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5911 beats the i3-9100's 5622 by 4.9%, and this pattern repeats across R15 and R20 versions. The consistency of these wins, combined with the 8-thread advantage, makes it the superior choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and any workload that scales with thread count. The i7-4790S also edges out the i3-9100 in Cinebench single-core tests, which is surprising given the i3-9100's higher clock speeds, suggesting the larger 8 MB L3 cache plays a role in these specific workloads.

The Intel Core i3-9100 wins in Geekbench, particularly single-core performance where it achieves 1290 versus 1056, a 22.2% advantage. This suggests it handles bursty, latency-sensitive workloads better, making it potentially better suited for general desktop responsiveness and applications that rely heavily on single-thread speed. Its multi-core Geekbench win of 3403 versus 3307, while smaller at 2.9%, also indicates it can hold its own in some parallel workloads. The i3-9100 also wins on modern platform features, with DDR4 memory support, ECC capability, and a newer 14 nm process that results in a smaller 126 mm² die.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-9100 | Intel Core i7-4790S |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 177 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 1,400 million |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Haswell |

| Release Date | 2018-08-31 | 2014-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $122 | $312 |