Intel Core i3-9100E vs Intel Core i7-5700HQ Comparison

Intel Core i7-5700HQ and Intel Core i3-9100E are both end-of-life desktop processors from Intel, but they represent different design philosophies and eras. The i7-5700HQ is a Broadwell-H mobile-derived chip with hyperthreading, while the i3-9100E is a Coffee Lake desktop part with four physical cores and no multithreading. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear overall winner in the i3-9100E, which takes all six head-to-head tests, but the margin is narrow and the i7's extra threads matter for specific workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark results show a complete sweep for the Intel Core i3-9100E. It wins every single test in the head-to-head comparison, from Cinebench R15 to R23, in both single-core and multi-core runs. That gives it 6 wins against 0 for the i7-5700HQ. However, the victory margins are consistent but modest, ranging from 6.4% to 7.2% depending on the test. This suggests the i3's advantage comes from its higher base and boost clocks rather than a fundamentally different performance class.

The i7-5700HQ, despite losing all direct comparisons, still has a role in multi-threaded scenarios due to its 8 threads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5154 is only 7.1% behind the i3's 5549, which is remarkable given the i3 has a 3.70 GHz boost clock versus the i7's 3.50 GHz. In applications that scale with thread count, the i7's hyperthreading narrows the gap significantly. For single-threaded tasks, the i3's lead is slightly larger, 7.2% in R23 single-core (783 vs 727), reflecting its newer architecture and higher clock speed.

The percentile rankings place both processors in the lower-middle tier of all CPUs: the i7 at the 40th percentile and the i3 at the 39th. This means neither chip is a high-end performer by modern standards, but the i7's slightly better percentile suggests its average benchmark score across all tests (1645) edges out the i3's (1605). That average includes the Geekbench results that the i3 does not have in its benchmark list, so the comparison is not perfectly apples-to-apples. For users focused solely on the Cinebench suite, the i3 is the better choice; for workloads that benefit from the i7's threading, the difference shrinks to near parity.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and are built on different process nodes, though both are 14 nm. The i7-5700HQ uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-H variant, while the i3-9100E uses Coffee Lake. This generational gap explains many of the performance differences. The i7 was released in June 2015 with a launch MSRP of $378, while the i3 arrived in August 2018 with a launch MSRP of $122. The i3 is a newer design with a smaller die size (126 mm² versus 182 mm²), which typically allows for better power efficiency and higher clock speeds at similar thermal envelopes.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, thanks to hyperthreading, while the i3 has 4 cores and 4 threads. This is the i7's main advantage: it can process two threads per core, which helps in heavily parallel workloads. The i3 compensates with higher clock speeds: a 3.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, compared to the i7's 2.70 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The i3's boost clock is 200 MHz higher, and its base clock is 400 MHz higher, which directly contributes to its single-threaded wins.

Cache configurations are identical in structure: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The memory support differs substantially. The i7 uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i3 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i3 also supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not. The integrated graphics are different as well: the i7 has Intel HD 5600, while the i3 has UHD Graphics 630. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the i3-9100E scoring 559 against the i7-5700HQ's 519, a 7.2% advantage for the i3. This is the largest margin in any test. The single-core R15 result is 78 vs 73, a 6.4% lead for the i3. These early results establish a pattern: the i3 wins, but the gap is not overwhelming.

In Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 2330 for the i3 and 2164 for the i7, a 7.1% difference. The single-core test shows 328 vs 305, a 7.0% lead. The consistency of these margins, all clustering around 7%, indicates that the i3's advantage is primarily clock-speed driven rather than architecture driven. If the i7's hyperthreading were a major factor, the multi-core gap would be smaller than the single-core gap, but here they are nearly identical.

The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. Multi-core: 5549 for the i3, 5154 for the i7, a 7.1% difference. Single-core: 783 for the i3, 727 for the i7, a 7.2% lead. The i3 wins every round, but the i7's 8 threads keep it within striking distance in multi-threaded workloads. For example, in R23 multi-core, the i7's score of 5154 is only 395 points behind, which is a small absolute margin given the scale of the test.

The i7 also has Geekbench scores in the database: 3129 multi-core and 1085 single-core. The i3 does not have Geekbench results recorded, so no direct comparison is possible there. However, the i7's average benchmark score of 1645 across all its tests is higher than the i3's 1605, which includes only Cinebench results. This suggests that in a broader benchmark suite, the i7 might perform better relative to the i3 than the Cinebench-only comparison indicates.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100E wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 783 versus the i7-5700HQ's 727, a 7.2% advantage. The same pattern holds in R15 (78 vs 73) and R20 (328 vs 305).

Q: Does the i7-5700HQ's hyperthreading help in multi-threaded workloads?

A: Yes, but not enough to overcome the i3's clock advantage. The i7 has 8 threads versus the i3's 4, and its R23 multi-core score of 5154 is only 7.1% behind the i3's 5549. In R15 multi-core, the gap is 7.2% (519 vs 559), showing that the thread count keeps the i7 competitive but not ahead.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The i3-9100E supports DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-5700HQ supports DDR3 with a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The i3's bandwidth is approximately 28% higher, which can benefit memory-intensive applications.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The i3-9100E supports ECC memory, while the i7-5700HQ does not. This makes the i3 more suitable for error-sensitive workstation or server environments.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-5700HQ has an average benchmark score of 1645, while the i3-9100E has an average of 1605. The i7's average is higher because it includes Geekbench results, which the i3 lacks. The i7 also sits at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, one point above the i3's 39th percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i3-9100E boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the i7-5700HQ boosts to 3.50 GHz. The i3's base clock is also higher at 3.10 GHz versus 2.70 GHz.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i3-9100E as the better performer in the Cinebench suite. It wins all six head-to-head tests with margins between 6.4% and 7.2%. Its higher base and boost clocks, newer Coffee Lake architecture, and faster DDR4 memory support give it a clear edge in both single-core and multi-core workloads as measured by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The i3 also supports ECC memory, which is a feature the i7 lacks, and it comes with a lower launch MSRP of $122 versus $378.

The i7-5700HQ is not without merit. Its 8 threads allow it to stay close in multi-core tests, trailing by only 7.1% in R23 multi-core despite having 4 fewer threads. Its average benchmark score of 1645 is actually higher than the i3's 1605, and its percentile ranking is one point better. This suggests that in a broader test suite that includes Geekbench, the i7's overall performance is comparable. Users who prioritize multithreaded throughput and have workloads that scale with thread count might find the i7 acceptable, especially if they already have a DDR3 platform.

However, for a new build or a direct upgrade path, the i3-9100E is the stronger choice based on the recorded benchmarks. It wins every Cinebench test, offers ECC support, and uses a newer socket (Intel Socket 1151) that is more common in modern systems. The i7's BGA 1364 socket is a mobile-derived package, which limits its upgrade potential. The verdict is straightforward: the i3 wins on raw performance, while the i7 wins on thread count and average score breadth, but the i3's consistent victory across all direct comparisons makes it the recommended pick for most use cases.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-5700HQ | Intel Core i3-9100E |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 47 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Broadwell-H | Coffee Lake |

| Generation | Core i7 (Broadwell-H) | Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) |

| Die Size | 182 mm² | 126 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5600 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Release Date | 2015-06-01 | 2018-08-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $378 | $122 |

| Part Number | SR2BP | SRGE0SRGQY |