Intel Core i3-9100E vs Intel Core i3-9300 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-9300 and Intel Core i3-9100E are both 14 nm Coffee Lake Refresh parts with four cores and four threads, but the recorded benchmark data shows a consistent edge for the i3-9100E across every tested workload. This result is notable because the i3-9300 carries higher clock specifications, yet the i3-9100E delivers superior measured scores in all six Cinebench tests. The database places both processors at the 39th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy the same performance tier, but the i3-9100E achieves a higher average benchmark score of 1605 compared to 1554 for the i3-9300.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i3-9100E wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with the margin ranging from 2.6% to 3.2%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-9100E scores 559 against 541 for the i3-9300, a delta of -3.2% from the i3-9300's perspective. The single-core R15 result is closer: 78 versus 76, a 2.6% advantage for the i3-9100E. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i3-9100E posts 2330 in multi-core versus 2257, a 3.1% lead, and 328 in single-core versus 318, a 3% lead. In the latest Cinebench R23, the i3-9100E again wins by 3.2% in both tests: 5549 versus 5374 for multi-core and 783 versus 758 for single-core.

The consistency is striking. Every delta falls between -2.6% and -3.2%, with no test showing the i3-9300 ahead. This pattern suggests a systematic performance advantage for the i3-9100E rather than a workload-specific quirk. The single-core differences are slightly smaller in percentage terms, but they still favor the i3-9100E in every iteration of Cinebench. The multi-core deltas are almost uniform at -3.1% or -3.2%, implying the i3-9100E's advantage scales evenly across all cores.

Benchmark results indicate the i3-9300's higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.30 GHz do not translate into faster measured performance. The i3-9100E, with base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost of 3.70 GHz, outperforms it in all recorded tests. This counterintuitive outcome may stem from differences in cache configuration, as the i3-9300 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache while the i3-9100E has 6 MB. The extra cache does not help the i3-9300 in these benchmarks. Another factor could be thermal or power management behavior, but the database does not provide direct measurements for those.

In terms of rival positioning, the i3-9300's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (average score 1557, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core i5-4690S (1551, +0.2%), the AMD FX-8350 (1557, -0.2%), and the Intel Core i3-1115G4E (1559, -0.3%). These deltas are tiny, all within 0.3%, meaning the i3-9300 sits in a tightly clustered group. The i3-9100E's nearest rivals are slightly higher: the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 (1609, -0.2%), the Intel Core i7-10610U (1611, -0.3%), the Intel Core i7-970 (1613, -0.5%), and the Intel Core i7-1060G7 (1591, +0.9%). The i3-9100E's average score of 1605 places it among these more capable parts, while the i3-9300's 1554 places it a notch lower.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-9100E is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded. With six wins out of six head-to-head tests, the i3-9100E delivers between 2.6% and 3.2% higher scores across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The average benchmark score reflects this gap: 1605 for the i3-9100E versus 1554 for the i3-9300, a difference of 51 points.

Users should pick the i3-9100E if they prioritize raw benchmark performance. This applies to single-threaded tasks, where the i3-9100E leads by 2.6% to 3.2%, and to multi-threaded rendering or compilation workloads, where the lead is consistently around 3.1% to 3.2%. The i3-9300 offers no measured advantage in any test. Even though the i3-9300 has a larger L3 cache and higher clock speeds, the recorded scores do not reflect those specifications.

The i3-9300 is not without merit, but its merits are not visible in the benchmark data. Both processors share the same 14 nm process, the same Coffee Lake architecture, the same socket, and the same dual-channel DDR4 memory support. The i3-9300's higher clocks and larger cache might appeal on paper, but the database shows no performance benefit. For any workload covered by Cinebench, the i3-9100E is the correct choice.

One nuance: the i3-9300 has an end-of-life production status, as does the i3-9100E. Both are discontinued desktop parts, so availability may influence a purchase. However, based strictly on measured performance, the i3-9100E wins outright. The percentile ranking of 39 for both CPUs confirms they are in the same class, but the i3-9100E sits at the higher end of that class.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-9100E wins every workload category represented in the benchmark suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 559 versus 541. In R20 multi-core, 2330 versus 2257. In R23 multi-core, 5549 versus 5374. These results cover progressively newer versions of the same rendering workload, and the i3-9100E maintains its edge across all of them. For single-core tests, the i3-9100E wins with 78 versus 76 in R15, 328 versus 318 in R20, and 783 versus 758 in R23.

The i3-9300 has no benchmark wins. Its wins field shows zero, while the i3-9100E has six. This means there is no use case in the recorded data where the i3-9300 comes out ahead. The closest margin is the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the i3-9100E leads by only 2 points (78 versus 76), but that is still a win for the i3-9100E.

For single-threaded applications, the i3-9100E offers a small but consistent advantage. The single-core deltas range from -2.6% to -3.2%, meaning the i3-9300 trails by roughly 3% in all versions of Cinebench. For multi-threaded workloads, the i3-9100E's lead is even more uniform, sitting at -3.1% or -3.2% across R15, R20, and R23. This suggests the i3-9100E scales better across all four cores.

The i3-9300's larger L3 cache of 8 MB versus 6 MB does not produce any measurable win. Its higher base clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.70 GHz also fail to provide an advantage. The recorded data shows the i3-9100E ahead in every scenario, so any use case defined by Cinebench belongs to the i3-9100E.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100E has an average benchmark score of 1605, while the Intel Core i3-9300 has 1554. The i3-9100E is 51 points higher.

Q: How much faster is the i3-9100E in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-9100E scores 5549 versus 5374 for the i3-9300, a 3.2% advantage. In R20 multi-core, it scores 2330 versus 2257, a 3.1% lead. In R15 multi-core, it scores 559 versus 541, a 3.2% lead.

Q: Does the i3-9300 win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows zero wins for the i3-9300 and six wins for the i3-9100E.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The i3-9100E wins all three single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 783 versus 758 (3.2% higher). In R20, 328 versus 318 (3% higher). In R15, 78 versus 76 (2.6% higher).

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both have a percentile rank of 39 among all CPUs. They are in the same performance tier, but the i3-9100E has a higher average score.

Q: How do they compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i3-9300's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 with an average score of 1557, a delta of -0.2%. The i3-9100E's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 with an average score of 1609, a delta of -0.2%. The i3-9100E sits among higher-scoring parts.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Coffee Lake architecture, codename Coffee Lake, and generation label "Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh)". They are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node with a die size of 126 mm². The foundry is Intel for both. The socket is Intel Socket 1151 for both, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The cache configurations differ. The i3-9300 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-9100E has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L1 and L2 sizes are identical, so the only architectural difference in cache is the L3 capacity. The i3-9300's larger L3 does not translate into benchmark wins.

Integrated graphics differ slightly in naming. The i3-9300 lists "UHD 630" while the i3-9100E lists "UHD Graphics 630". Both are integrated graphics on the same architecture, and the database does not provide separate GPU benchmarks.

Memory support is identical: DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, which is unusual for desktop Core i3 parts. PCIe support is also the same: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Both processors have four cores and four threads, so there is no difference in threading capability. The market segment is Desktop for both, and both are end-of-life. The release dates differ: the i3-9300 launched on 2019-04-22, while the i3-9100E launched on 2018-08-31. The i3-9300 is a later release with higher clocks and more cache, yet it loses in benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: 4 cores and 4 threads for both. The base clock differs, with the i3-9300 at 3.70 GHz and the i3-9100E at 3.10 GHz. The boost clock also differs: 4.30 GHz for the i3-9300 versus 3.70 GHz for the i3-9100E. The i3-9300 has higher clock speeds in both measurements.

Thermal design power differs slightly: 62 W for the i3-9300 and 65 W for the i3-9100E. The i3-9300 has a lower TDP despite higher clocks. The process node is the same at 14 nm, and the die size is the same at 126 mm².

The L3 cache is the key difference: 8 MB for the i3-9300 versus 6 MB for the i3-9100E. L1 and L2 caches are identical. The integrated graphics names differ as noted, but both are UHD 630-class.

The launch MSRP for the i3-9300 is $143, and for the i3-9100E it is $122. The part numbers differ: SRCZU for the i3-9300 and SRGE0SRGQY for the i3-9100E. The release dates differ, with the i3-9100E launching earlier.

The average benchmark score difference is 51 points in favor of the i3-9100E (1605 versus 1554). The percentile rank is identical at 39. The head-to-head wins are 0 for the i3-9300 and 6 for the i3-9100E, with all deltas between -2.6% and -3.2%. The i3-9300 has a larger cache and higher clocks, but the i3-9100E has the better measured performance in every recorded test.