CPU Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100E wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5549 against the i3-9100T’s 4788, a 13.7% advantage. The gap is consistent across every multi-core test, including a 559 vs. 482 result in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

Q: Do the two CPUs have identical clock speeds?

A: Yes. Both chips list a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The performance difference in benchmarks therefore does not come from clock frequency, since the two parts run at the same rated speeds.

Q: Is there any difference in power consumption between them?

A: The thermal design power (TDP) differs. The i3-9100T is rated at 35W, while the i3-9100E is rated at 65W. That 30W gap is the most notable specification difference between the two processors.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The average benchmark score is nearly identical. The i3-9100T averages 1620, while the i3-9100E averages 1605. Both land at the 39th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they sit at the same performance tier overall despite the E variant winning every direct comparison.

Q: Do the processors use the same socket and memory support?

A: Yes. Both use Intel Socket 1151, support dual-channel DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, and include UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics. They also share the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Q: Are these chips still in production?

A: No. Both are listed as end-of-life products, and both were released on the same date in 2018 with an identical launch MSRP of $122. Their part numbers differ, though the E model lists two part numbers (SRGE0SRGQY) while the T model lists one (SRCZX).

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Coffee Lake architecture, using Intel’s 14 nm process node with a die size of 126 mm². They share identical core and thread counts: 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading. The cache hierarchy is also the same: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either part.

The architecture is otherwise nearly indistinguishable. Both belong to the Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) generation, are manufactured by Intel, and target the desktop market segment. They support ECC memory, which is an unusual feature for consumer desktop chips and suggests these processors were aimed at entry-level workstation or embedded-style builds. The integrated GPU is the same UHD Graphics 630 on both, and memory support is identical: DDR4 with dual-channel operation at 38.4 GB/s.

The critical architectural difference is not in the silicon design itself but in the thermal envelope. The i3-9100T carries a 35W TDP, while the i3-9100E carries a 65W TDP. Since the base and boost clocks are identical at 3.10 GHz and 3.70 GHz, the higher TDP on the E model implies a different power-delivery configuration or binning that allows sustained performance at higher power draw. The benchmark results reflect this: the E model outperforms the T model in every single test, suggesting the lower TDP on the T part limits its sustained performance under load.

The two chips share the same release date and launch MSRP. The part numbers differ, with the T model listed as SRCZX and the E model as SRGE0SRGQY. No transistor count is provided in the data, so a direct comparison of transistor density is not possible. However, the identical die size and process node indicate the physical design is the same; only the power characteristics and resulting performance differ.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i3-9100E is the faster processor in every measured workload. Across six head-to-head benchmarks, the E model wins all six, with deltas ranging from 13.7% to 14.1%. The largest single-core gap appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the E scores 78 against the T’s 67, a 14.1% advantage. The smallest gap is 13.7%, seen in Cinebench R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, and R23 multi-core.

The i3-9100T is not without merit. Its 35W TDP makes it the lower-power option, and its average benchmark score of 1620 is actually slightly higher than the E model’s 1605 average. That counterintuitive result stems from the fact that the average includes different benchmark sets; the direct head-to-head comparisons consistently favor the E. The T model also sits at the same 39th percentile among all CPUs, so in the broader market context, neither chip is dramatically faster than the other.

For buyers prioritizing raw performance in a desktop build, the i3-9100E is the obvious choice. Its 65W TDP is higher, but the benchmark results justify the extra power draw. The E model posts a 5549 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 4788 for the T, a difference of 761 points. In single-core R23, the E scores 783 versus 675, a 108-point gap. These are not marginal differences; they represent a consistent double-digit performance advantage.

For buyers prioritizing power efficiency or thermal constraints, the i3-9100T is the sensible pick. Its 35W TDP is less than half the E model’s 65W, yet it still delivers comparable average performance in the broader benchmark database. The T model is also a near-peer to several other chips in its rival list, with a 0.4% delta versus the Intel Core i7-970 and a -0.5% delta versus the Intel Pentium Gold G7400T. The E model’s nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 at -0.2% and the Intel Core i7-10610U at -0.3%, indicating it slots into a similar performance neighborhood.

Neither chip is unlocked, so overclocking is not a deciding factor. Both are end-of-life products with identical launch MSRPs, so the choice comes down to the TDP-performance tradeoff. The data favors the E model for anyone who can accommodate a 65W TDP.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in only a few specification fields. The most significant difference is TDP: the i3-9100T is rated at 35W, while the i3-9100E is rated at 65W. This 30W gap is the primary driver of their performance divergence.

The part numbers also differ. The i3-9100T is listed as SRCZX, while the i3-9100E is listed as SRGE0SRGQY. No other specification fields show a difference. Both have 4 cores, 4 threads, 3.10 GHz base clock, 3.70 GHz boost clock, and identical cache configurations (64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3). Both use Intel Socket 1151, the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm node, and a 126 mm² die size. Memory support is identical: DDR4, dual-channel, 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, with ECC support. Both feature UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes, and are classified as desktop parts. Both are end-of-life, released on the same date, with a launch MSRP of $122. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The benchmark records also differ in scope. The i3-9100T has a Geekbench multi-core score of 3443 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1215. The i3-9100E has no Geekbench scores listed in the data. All other benchmark entries are present for both chips, allowing direct comparison across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i3-9100E dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning all six recorded benchmarks. The performance gap is remarkably consistent, hovering near 14% across the board. This uniformity suggests a fixed performance ceiling on the T model, likely tied to its 35W TDP.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E scores 559 against the T’s 482, a 13.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows a slightly larger gap: 78 versus 67, a 14.1% difference. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison, indicating that even lightly threaded workloads benefit from the E model’s higher power envelope.

The Cinebench R20 results narrow slightly. Multi-core shows 2330 for the E and 2010 for the T, a 13.7% delta. Single-core shows 328 versus 283, also 13.7%. The consistency suggests the performance difference is proportional across workload types rather than scaling with thread count.

Cinebench R23 continues the trend. Multi-core scores are 5549 for the E and 4788 for the T, a 13.7% gap. Single-core scores are 783 versus 675, a 13.8% gap. The absolute differences are substantial: 761 points in multi-core and 108 points in single-core.

The i3-9100T’s best showing is its Geekbench performance, where it scores 3443 multi-core and 1215 single-core. However, no Geekbench data is available for the E model, so a direct head-to-head comparison in that suite is not possible. The T model’s nearest rivals in the overall database include the Intel Core i7-970 at 0.4% higher average score and the Intel Pentium Gold G7400T at 0.5% lower. The E model’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 at 0.2% lower average score.

The win count is decisive: winsA is 0, winsB is 6. The E model is faster in every measurable category, with no benchmark where the T model pulls ahead. For anyone comparing these two chips directly, the data offers no ambiguity. The i3-9100E delivers uniformly higher performance at the cost of a higher TDP.