CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-9100E
Core i7-8560U
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i3-9100E vs Intel Core i7-8560U
The Intel Core i3-9100E and Intel Core i7-8560U are both 14 nm parts from Intel’s 2018 lineup, but they target different corners of the market. The i3-9100E is a desktop chip with a 65 W TDP and 4 cores without hyper-threading, while the i7-8560U is a 15 W mobile processor with 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite the i7’s ultra-low power envelope, it wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, albeit by narrow margins of 1.6% to 2.5%. The i3-9100E counters with a lower launch MSRP of $122, ECC memory support, and a user-replaceable socket, making it a logical choice for embedded or workstation-lite builds. The i7-8560U, meanwhile, offers a much higher boost clock and double the thread count, which explains its slight edge in every benchmark.
FAQ
Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core i7-8560U boosts to 4.60 GHz, significantly higher than the Intel Core i3-9100E’s 3.70 GHz boost clock.
Q: Does the i3-9100E support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the Intel Core i3-9100E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-8560U does not.
Q: Which processor has more threads?
A: The Intel Core i7-8560U has 8 threads via hyper-threading, while the Intel Core i3-9100E has 4 threads with no hyper-threading.
Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?
A: The Intel Core i7-8560U has an average benchmark score of 1631, which is 1.6% higher than the Intel Core i3-9100E’s 1605.
Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?
A: The Intel Core i3-9100E has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-8560U has a 15 W TDP, making the i7 far more power-efficient.
Q: Which CPU was released later?
A: The Intel Core i7-8560U was released on 2018-09-30, one month after the Intel Core i3-9100E’s 2018-08-31 release.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process and share the same L1 and L2 cache layout: 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively. The similarities end there. The i3-9100E uses the Coffee Lake architecture (specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh generation) and is a desktop part on the Intel Socket 1151. The i7-8560U is a Whiskey Lake-U mobile chip on the BGA 1528 socket, which means it is soldered to the motherboard and not upgradeable. The die size for the i3-9100E is listed as 126 mm², while the i7-8560U has no listed die size.
The most consequential architectural difference is thread count. The i3-9100E is a 4-core, 4-thread part, while the i7-8560U is a 4-core, 8-thread part. This hyper-threading advantage gives the i7 a notable edge in multi-threaded workloads, even at a fraction of the TDP. The i7 also features a larger L3 cache: 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared on the i3. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the i3-9100E using UHD Graphics 630 and the i7-8560U using UHD Graphics 620. Both support dual-channel memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, but the i3-9100E only supports DDR4, while the i7-8560U supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The i3-9100E also has ECC memory support, a feature absent on the i7.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core i7-8560U wins in every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, including both single-core and multi-core tests. Its 4.60 GHz boost clock is the primary driver of its single-core advantage, while its 8 threads give it a small but consistent lead in multi-core workloads. This makes the i7-8560U the better choice for users who need maximum responsiveness in lightly-threaded applications and slightly better throughput in multi-threaded tasks, all within a 15 W power envelope. It is a strong pick for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and low heat are priorities.
The Intel Core i3-9100E does not win any benchmarks, but it wins on platform flexibility. It uses the standard Intel Socket 1151, meaning it can be installed in a wide range of desktop motherboards. It supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for entry-level servers or stability-focused workstations. Its 65 W TDP is higher, but that allows for sustained performance without the thermal throttling often seen in ultra-low-power parts. It also has a launch MSRP of $122, making it an inexpensive desktop option. For users building a budget desktop with ECC support, the i3-9100E is the only viable choice here.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Core i3-9100E | Intel Core i7-8560U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 4 | 8 |
| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 1800.00 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.60 GHz |
| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |
| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1528 |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Whiskey Lake |
| Generation | Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) | Core i7 (Whiskey Lake) |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Die Size | 126 mm² | N/A |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |
| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |
| ECC Memory | Yes | No |
| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | UHD Graphics 620 |
| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |
| Launch MSRP | $122 | N/A |
| Part Number | SRGE0SRGQY | SRGML |
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The data from the six Cinebench tests paints a consistent picture: the Intel Core i7-8560U is marginally faster across the board, but the margins are small enough to be within run-to-run variation. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8560U scores 568 against the i3-9100E’s 559, a 1.6% lead. The single-core test in R15 shows a 2.5% gap, with the i7 scoring 80 versus 78. These are the smallest absolute differences, but they set the pattern.
Cinebench R20 results are nearly identical in percentage terms. The i7-8560U wins multi-core with 2369 points versus 2330, again a 1.6% delta. Single-core R20 shows 334 versus 328, a 1.8% lead for the i7. The largest absolute margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7-8560U scores 5641 against 5549, a 92-point gap that still translates to just 1.6% in relative terms. Single-core R23 is the closest race in percentage terms, with the i7 at 796 and the i3 at 783, a 1.6% difference.
The i7-8560U’s 8 threads are clearly doing the heavy lifting in multi-core tests, but the single-core wins are more surprising given the i3’s higher base clock. The i7’s 4.60 GHz boost clock is the obvious explanation; it is nearly a full gigahertz higher than the i3’s 3.70 GHz boost. The i3-9100E’s 65 W TDP does not translate into a raw clock advantage, as the 15 W i7-8560U is able to boost aggressively for short bursts. This makes the i7-8560U the better performer in every measured scenario, despite being designed for a completely different form factor.