Intel Core i3-9100 vs Intel Core i7-8706G Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is remarkably one-sided. Across the entire head-to-head suite, the Intel Core i7-8706G wins all six recorded Cinebench tests, while the Intel Core i3-9100 records zero wins. This is not a close contest by any measured metric, and the separation is consistent across both single-core and multi-core workloads.

The i7-8706G takes the multi-core crown in every rendering test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6368 against 5622 for the i3-9100, a 13.3% advantage. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 (2674 vs 2361, 13.3% ahead) and Cinebench R15 (641 vs 566, 13.3% ahead). The i7-8706G’s 8 threads versus the i3-9100’s 4 threads explain this consistent margin, as the additional logical processors allow better utilization of multi-threaded rendering workloads.

Surprisingly, the i7-8706G also wins every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 899 versus 793, a 13.4% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 377 versus 333 (13.2% ahead), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 90 versus 79 (13.9% ahead). This is notable because the i3-9100 has a higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 3.10 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz vs 4.10 GHz). The data suggests that architectural efficiency in the Kaby Lake-G implementation outweighs the raw clock frequency disadvantage.

In terms of average benchmark score, the i7-8706G sits at 1842, while the i3-9100 trails at 1806. Both CPUs occupy the 42nd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall standing despite the i7-8706G’s clear win rate in direct comparisons. The i7-8706G’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-7600, scores 1844, a negligible 0.1% gap. The i3-9100’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-9320, scores 1808, also a 0.1% gap.

For workloads that are heavily single-threaded, such as legacy applications or lightly threaded games, the i7-8706G still comes out ahead, which is counterintuitive given the clock speed deficit. For fully multi-threaded tasks, like video encoding or 3D rendering, the i7-8706G extends its lead slightly, but the margin remains stable around 13%. The i3-9100 does not win any category, so there is no scenario in the recorded data where it is the recommended choice based on raw performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and target different market segments. The i7-8706G is built on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake G codename, and is classified as a mobile part. The i3-9100 is built on Coffee Lake, with the Coffee Lake Refresh codename, and is a desktop part. Both use Intel’s 14 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel.

The core configurations differ significantly. The i7-8706G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-9100 has 4 cores and 4 threads. This means the i7-8706G supports Hyper-Threading, allowing each physical core to process two threads simultaneously, while the i3-9100 is a pure quad-core without simultaneous multi-threading. This is the single most important architectural distinction for performance.

Cache hierarchy also differs. Both CPUs have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is larger on the i7-8706G: 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared on the i3-9100. This 2 MB difference can reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data in multi-threaded workloads.

The integrated graphics are completely different. The i7-8706G features Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, a discrete-class GPU packaged on the same substrate. The i3-9100 uses UHD Graphics 630, Intel’s standard integrated solution. The Vega M GL is designed for gaming and GPU-accelerated compute, while UHD 630 is a basic display output solution.

Memory support is nominally DDR4 for both, but the i3-9100 is explicitly listed with a dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i7-8706G’s memory bus and bandwidth are not recorded in the database. The i3-9100 also supports ECC memory, while the i7-8706G does not. This makes the i3-9100 suitable for error-correcting memory configurations, a feature absent on the mobile part.

Socket and packaging differ as expected. The i7-8706G uses Intel BGA 2270, a soldered mobile socket, meaning it is not upgradeable or replaceable by the user. The i3-9100 uses Intel Socket 1151, a standard desktop LGA socket, which allows for user installation and replacement. The i3-9100 has a recorded die size of 126 mm², while the i7-8706G’s die size is not listed.

PCIe support is only recorded for the i3-9100, which offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i7-8706G’s PCIe configuration is not in the database. The i3-9100 has a part number SRCZV, while the i7-8706G has no recorded part number.

Production status differs: the i7-8706G is listed as Active, meaning it is still in production, while the i3-9100 is End-of-life. Release dates are close, with the i7-8706G launching on 2018-01-31 and the i3-9100 on 2018-08-31, a seven-month gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are consistent across all six Cinebench tests. The i7-8706G wins every single one, with delta percentages clustered tightly between 13.2% and 13.9%. This uniformity suggests a systematic advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

Starting with multi-core: in Cinebench R15, the i7-8706G scores 641 versus 566 for the i3-9100, a 13.3% lead. In Cinebench R20, the scores are 2674 and 2361, again 13.3% apart. In Cinebench R23, the scores are 6368 and 5622, still 13.3% apart. The consistency across R15, R20, and R23 indicates that the i7-8706G’s thread advantage scales linearly with the rendering workload, regardless of the Cinebench version.

Single-core tests show a slightly larger margin. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-8706G scores 90 versus 79, a 13.9% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 377 versus 333, a 13.2% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 899 versus 793, a 13.4% lead. The single-core advantage is curious because the i3-9100 has higher base and boost clocks. The data implies that the i7-8706G’s microarchitecture, despite being from the same 14 nm node, extracts more instructions per clock in the Cinebench single-threaded test.

The largest delta in the entire comparison is the Cinebench R15 single-core test at 13.9%. The smallest delta is the Cinebench R20 single-core test at 13.2%. There is no test where the i3-9100 comes within 10% of the i7-8706G.

The i3-9100 has additional Geekbench results in its benchmark list: 3403 multi-core and 1290 single-core. The i7-8706G does not have Geekbench results recorded, so no direct comparison is possible for that suite. However, the Cinebench data is sufficient to establish a clear hierarchy.

In the context of their respective rival pools, the two CPUs are closely matched. The i7-8706G’s average score of 1842 is only 0.1% below the Intel Core i5-7600 (1844) and 0.4% above the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G (1836). The i3-9100’s average score of 1806 is 0.1% below the Intel Core i3-9320 (1808) and 0.2% below the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U (1810). The i7-8706G’s closest rival, the i5-7600, is a 4-core/4-thread desktop part, indicating that the mobile i7-8706G performs at the level of a desktop quad-core without Hyper-Threading.

Specification Differences

The specification table below highlights only the fields where the two CPUs differ. Fields that are identical, such as cores (4 for both), TDP (65 for both), process node (14 nm), and memory support (DDR4), are omitted.

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8706G | Intel Core i3-9100 |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2270 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake G | Coffee Lake |

| Generation | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) | Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) |

| Die size | Not recorded | 126 mm² |

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

| Memory bus | Not recorded | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon RX Vega M GL | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2018-01-31 | 2018-08-31 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $122 |

| Part number | Not recorded | SRCZV |

The i3-9100 has a launch MSRP of $122, stated once here per database policy. The i7-8706G has no recorded launch MSRP. The i3-9100 also has a larger recorded die size, a dual-channel memory bus with a specific bandwidth figure, ECC support, and defined PCIe lanes. The i7-8706G lacks all of these recorded details but offers more threads, more L3 cache, and a more powerful integrated GPU.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-threaded rendering?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6368 versus 5622 for the i3-9100, a 13.3% advantage. The i7-8706G’s 8 threads versus 4 threads on the i3-9100 drives this consistent lead.

Q: Does the i3-9100 win any single-core test?

A: No. Despite having a higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 3.10 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz vs 4.10 GHz), the i3-9100 loses every single-core Cinebench test. The i7-8706G leads by 13.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 13.2% in R20, and 13.4% in R23.

Q: Are these CPUs similar in overall performance ranking?

A: Yes, both sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs. The i7-8706G has an average benchmark score of 1842, while the i3-9100 scores 1806. Their nearest rivals are also close: the i7-8706G is 0.1% below the Intel Core i5-7600, and the i3-9100 is 0.1% below the Intel Core i3-9320.

Q: What is the main architectural difference that explains the performance gap?

A: The i7-8706G supports 8 threads across 4 cores, while the i3-9100 only supports 4 threads. Additionally, the i7-8706G has 8 MB of L3 cache versus 6 MB on the i3-9100. Both use the same 14 nm process and have a 65 W TDP.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-8706G does not. The i3-9100 also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s with a dual-channel bus, whereas the i7-8706G’s memory bus and bandwidth are not recorded in the database.

Q: Are both CPUs still in production?

A: No. The i7-8706G is listed as Active, while the i3-9100 is listed as End-of-life. The i7-8706G uses a mobile BGA 2270 socket, while the i3-9100 uses a desktop Socket 1151.