Intel Core i3-9100E vs Intel Core i7-4760HQ Comparison

Intel Core i7-4760HQ vs Intel Core i3-9100E is a matchup between two very different Intel processors: one a mobile Haswell part from 2014 with Hyper-Threading, the other a desktop Coffee Lake chip from 2018 that relies on higher clocks and a newer process. The benchmark data shows a consistent, if modest, edge for the i3-9100E across every single test, but the i7-4760HQ still holds a structural advantage in thread count that matters in certain workloads. Below is a breakdown based strictly on recorded measurements.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-9100E wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Out of six recorded Cinebench tests, the i3-9100E takes first place in all of them, with deltas ranging from 2.6% to 3.6%. That means in both single-core and multi-core workloads, the i3-9100E is the faster chip. Its wins are not large, but they are consistent, which suggests a fundamental clock-speed and IPC advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Where the i7-4760HQ could still be considered a winner is in scenarios that benefit from simultaneous multithreading. The i7-4760HQ has 8 threads (4 cores, 8 threads) while the i3-9100E has only 4 threads (4 cores, 4 threads). Even though the i3-9100E posts higher multi-core scores in Cinebench, the i7-4760HQ’s extra threads mean it will not fall behind as much in heavily threaded applications that scale beyond four threads. The recorded multi-core deltas are small (3.5% to 3.6%), which indicates the i7-4760HQ’s thread advantage largely counteracts the i3-9100E’s clock advantage in parallel work. So if you are running a workload that uses more than four threads and is not constrained by memory bandwidth, the i7-4760HQ is closer to parity than the single-core numbers suggest.

For single-threaded tasks, the i3-9100E is clearly the better pick. It wins by 2.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 3.4% in R20 single-core, and 3.4% in R23 single-core. That edge comes from its higher base and boost clocks (3.10 GHz vs 2.10 GHz base, 3.70 GHz vs 3.30 GHz boost) and its newer Coffee Lake architecture. For everyday responsiveness, web browsing, office work, or older games that rely on one strong core, the i3-9100E is the one to choose.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100E has an average benchmark score of 1605, while the Intel Core i7-4760HQ scores 1549. That is a difference of 56 points, placing the i3-9100E in the 39th percentile of all CPUs versus the i7-4760HQ’s 38th percentile.

Q: Does the i7-4760HQ have more threads?

A: Yes, the i7-4760HQ has 8 threads (4 cores, 8 threads) while the i3-9100E has 4 threads (4 cores, 4 threads). This means the i7-4760HQ can handle more concurrent threads, even though it loses in raw multi-core benchmark scores.

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

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i3-9100E wins by 3.6%. The i7-4760HQ scores 539 versus 559 for the i3-9100E. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, a 2.6% win for the i3-9100E (76 vs 78).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The i3-9100E supports ECC memory, while the i7-4760HQ does not. This makes the i3-9100E more suitable for entry-level servers or workstations where error-correcting memory is required.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i3-9100E has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to 3.30 GHz for the i7-4760HQ. The i3-9100E also has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz versus 2.10 GHz.

Q: Are both processors locked?

A: Yes, both have a locked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked is false for each). Neither can be overclocked by adjusting the multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are uniform: six tests, six wins for the Intel Core i3-9100E. The deltas are all in the range of 2.6% to 3.6%, making this a close but consistent victory for the newer part.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-9100E scores 559 against 539 for the i7-4760HQ, a 3.6% advantage. This is the largest single gap in the entire comparison. The i7-4760HQ’s eight threads help it stay within striking distance, but the i3-9100E’s higher clocks and newer architecture still pull ahead.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i3-9100E wins 78 to 76, a 2.6% gap. This is the smallest delta recorded. Both chips are close in single-threaded performance, but the i3-9100E’s 3.70 GHz boost clock gives it the edge.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. Multi-core shows 2330 for the i3-9100E versus 2249 for the i7-4760HQ, a 3.5% win. Single-core shows 328 versus 317, a 3.4% win. These results are nearly identical in percentage terms to the R15 tests, indicating that the performance relationship is stable across different Cinebench versions.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend. Multi-core: 5549 for the i3-9100E, 5355 for the i7-4760HQ, a 3.5% delta. Single-core: 783 versus 756, a 3.4% delta. The i3-9100E wins every round, but the i7-4760HQ never falls more than 3.6% behind, which reflects its Hyper-Threading capability in multi-core tests and its still-respectable single-core performance for a 2014 mobile chip.

The i3-9100E’s average benchmark score of 1605 also places it slightly above the i7-4760HQ’s 1549. In the broader database, the i7-4760HQ sits near rivals like the Intel Core i5-4690S (1551, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i3-9300 (1554, delta -0.3%), and the AMD FX-8350 (1557, delta -0.5%). The i3-9100E, meanwhile, is close to the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 (1609, delta -0.2%) and the Intel Core i7-10610U (1611, delta -0.3%). Both chips are in the same performance tier, but the i3-9100E sits slightly higher.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i7-4760HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-9100E has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i7-4760HQ’s base clock is 2.10 GHz and boost clock is 3.30 GHz; the i3-9100E runs at 3.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The i7-4760HQ has a TDP of 47 watts, whereas the i3-9100E has a TDP of 65 watts. The i7-4760HQ uses Intel BGA 1364 socket, which is a mobile socket, while the i3-9100E uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket. Memory support differs: the i7-4760HQ supports DDR3 with dual-channel bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i3-9100E supports DDR4 with dual-channel bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the i3-9100E. The integrated graphics are also different: Intel HD 5200 on the i7-4760HQ, and UHD Graphics 630 on the i3-9100E. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, and both have 6 MB of shared L3 cache, with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i7-4760HQ’s launch MSRP is not listed, while the i3-9100E had a launch MSRP of $122.

Architecture Differences

The i7-4760HQ is built on Intel’s Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystalwell, using a 22 nm process node. It has 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die. This is a large die because it includes the Iris Pro graphics (Intel HD 5200) and a 128 MB eDRAM cache, though the eDRAM is not listed in the cache fields. The i3-9100E is based on Coffee Lake, codenamed Coffee Lake, using a 14 nm process node. Its die size is 126 mm², and transistor count is not recorded. The newer 14 nm process allows for higher clocks and better efficiency per clock, which explains the i3-9100E’s consistent benchmark wins despite having fewer threads.

The i7-4760HQ is classified as a mobile part (market segment: Mobile) and was released in January 2014, while the i3-9100E is a desktop part (market segment: Desktop) released in August 2018. Both are end-of-life products. The i7-4760HQ belongs to the Core i7 (Crystal Well) generation, while the i3-9100E is from Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh).

The i7-4760HQ’s 8 threads are its key architectural advantage. Hyper-Threading allows each core to handle two threads, effectively doubling the thread count. The i3-9100E has no Hyper-Threading, so it is limited to 4 threads. However, the i3-9100E compensates with a higher base clock (3.10 GHz vs 2.10 GHz, a 47% difference) and a higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.30 GHz, a 12% difference). The newer Coffee Lake core also has higher instructions-per-clock (IPC) compared to Haswell, which is why the i3-9100E wins even in multi-core tests despite the i7-4760HQ having twice the thread count.

Memory bandwidth is another architectural difference. The i3-9100E supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s, which is 50% higher than the i7-4760HQ’s DDR3 at 25.6 GB/s. This can help in memory-sensitive workloads. ECC support on the i3-9100E is a notable feature for stability in error-sensitive environments.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core i3-9100E is the faster processor. It wins all six benchmark comparisons, with deltas between 2.6% and 3.6%. Its average benchmark score is higher (1605 vs 1549), and its percentile ranking is slightly better (39th vs 38th percentile). If you need the maximum performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads, the i3-9100E is the clear choice.

However, the i7-4760HQ is not obsolete. Its 8 threads give it a structural advantage in applications that can use more than four threads. The multi-core deltas are small (3.5% to 3.6%), meaning the i7-4760HQ is only slightly behind despite having a much lower base clock and older architecture. If you are constrained to a mobile platform (BGA 1364) and need Hyper-Threading, the i7-4760HQ is the only option here. It also has a lower TDP of 47 watts versus 65 watts, which could be relevant in compact or thermally limited systems.

For a desktop user, the i3-9100E is the better pick. It offers higher clocks, DDR4 memory support, ECC capability, and a smaller die (126 mm²) on a more efficient 14 nm process. The only reason to choose the i7-4760HQ would be if you absolutely need 8 threads and are stuck on a mobile socket, or if you value the lower power draw. Otherwise, the data points squarely to the i3-9100E as the winner in every measured benchmark.