Intel Core i3-9100T vs Intel Core i7-4770HQ Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmarks in the database?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ wins 6 of the 8 recorded head-to-head tests, including all six Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 runs. The Intel Core i3-9100T wins the remaining two tests, both Geekbench runs.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark advantage in either direction?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i3-9100T scores 1215 versus 1013 for the i7-4770HQ, a 16.6% lead. The i7-4770HQ’s largest win is 7.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core, scoring 72 versus 67.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-4770HQ has an average benchmark score of 1660, while the i3-9100T averages 1620. The i7-4770HQ sits at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, and the i3-9100T sits at the 39th percentile.

Q: What are their core and thread configurations?

A: Both CPUs have 4 physical cores. The i7-4770HQ supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i3-9100T has 4 threads. The i7-4770HQ’s base clock is 2.20 GHz with a 3.40 GHz boost, while the i3-9100T starts at 3.10 GHz and boosts to 3.70 GHz.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100T supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ does not. Both use dual-channel memory, but the i3-9100T supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the i7-4770HQ uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s.

Q: What are the release dates and production statuses?

A: The i7-4770HQ was released on 2014-06-30, and the i3-9100T was released on 2018-08-31. Both are marked as end-of-life in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-4770HQ and Intel Core i3-9100T come from different architectural generations. The i7-4770HQ uses Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystalwell, built on Intel’s 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die. The i3-9100T uses Coffee Lake architecture, codenamed Coffee Lake, built on Intel’s 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². The process node difference reflects a newer manufacturing technology on the i3-9100T, but the i7-4770HQ’s larger die and transistor count indicate a more complex design.

The i7-4770HQ belongs to the mobile segment with an Intel BGA 1364 socket, while the i3-9100T is a desktop part using Intel Socket 1151. The i7-4770HQ’s integrated graphics are Intel HD 5200, whereas the i3-9100T features UHD Graphics 630. Both CPUs have the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. They also both provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Memory support differs significantly. The i7-4770HQ uses DDR3 with dual-channel 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-9100T uses DDR4 with dual-channel 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-9100T also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i7-4770HQ. The i7-4770HQ has a TDP of 47 W, while the i3-9100T has a lower TDP of 35 W.

The i7-4770HQ has 8 threads versus the i3-9100T’s 4 threads, which helps in multi-threaded workloads. However, the i3-9100T runs at higher clocks: base 3.10 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, and boost 3.70 GHz versus 3.40 GHz. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported.

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear split. The i7-4770HQ dominates all six Cinebench tests, with wins ranging from 6.6% to 7.5%. This includes both multi-core and single-core variants across R15, R20, and R23. The i7-4770HQ’s 8 threads provide a measurable advantage in threaded rendering workloads, as shown by its Cinebench scores: 514 vs 482 (R15 multi), 2144 vs 2010 (R20 multi), and 5106 vs 4788 (R23 multi).

The i3-9100T wins the Geekbench tests, particularly single-core, where its 16.6% lead is decisive. It also edges out the i7-4770HQ in Geekbench multi-core, 3443 versus 3407, a 1% margin. This suggests the i3-9100T’s higher clock speeds and newer architecture help in certain single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads.

For a builder choosing between these two, the data points to the i7-4770HQ for sustained multi-core rendering tasks, as its consistent Cinebench wins indicate stronger thread scaling. The i3-9100T is the better choice for general desktop responsiveness and single-threaded applications, where its Geekbench single-core lead is substantial. The i3-9100T also offers a lower TDP of 35 W versus 47 W, which matters for compact builds.

The i7-4770HQ is a mobile part, so it would typically be found in laptops or small-form-factor systems with BGA sockets. The i3-9100T is a desktop part, making it easier to integrate into standard Socket 1151 motherboards. The i3-9100T’s DDR4 support and higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s vs 25.6 GB/s) are practical advantages for memory-heavy tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4770HQ | Intel Core i3-9100T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 47 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Crystalwell | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 264 mm² | 126 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5200 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2014-06-30 | 2018-08-31 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $122 |

| Part Number | SR1ZW | SRCZX |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows the i7-4770HQ winning every Cinebench test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 514 versus 482, a 6.6% lead. In R15 single-core, it scores 72 versus 67, a 7.5% lead. The R20 tests show a 6.7% advantage in both multi-core (2144 vs 2010) and single-core (302 vs 283). The R23 tests follow the same pattern: multi-core 5106 versus 4788 (6.6% lead) and single-core 720 versus 675 (6.7% lead).

The i3-9100T’s wins are in Geekbench. In multi-core, it scores 3443 versus 3407, a 1% advantage. In single-core, it scores 1215 versus 1013, a 16.6% advantage. These two wins give the i3-9100T a total of 2 wins out of 8 head-to-head tests.

The benchmark results indicate that the i7-4770HQ’s thread advantage is consistent across all Cinebench versions, regardless of workload type. The i3-9100T’s single-core Geekbench lead is notable, but it does not translate to Cinebench single-core, where the i7-4770HQ remains ahead. This suggests that the i7-4770HQ’s architecture handles Cinebench’s single-threaded workload better, while the i3-9100T excels in Geekbench’s specific test pattern.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4770HQ is the clear winner for multi-threaded rendering and compute workloads. Its six Cinebench victories, all above 6.5%, show that the extra threads (8 versus 4) provide a tangible benefit in tasks that scale with core count. The i7-4770HQ also wins Cinebench single-core, so it maintains an edge in that benchmark’s specific workload, even with a lower boost clock (3.40 GHz vs 3.70 GHz).

The i3-9100T wins in Geekbench, especially single-core, where its 16.6% lead is the largest margin in the entire comparison. This indicates a strong advantage in applications that rely on high clock speeds and newer architecture efficiency, such as web browsing, office work, and light productivity. Its multi-core Geekbench win is smaller at 1%, but still enough to claim the test.

For a practical use-case split: choose the i7-4770HQ for video encoding, 3D rendering, or any workload where Cinebench-style multi-threading is representative. Choose the i3-9100T for everyday desktop use, where Geekbench single-core performance translates to snappier response in many common applications. The i3-9100T’s lower TDP and ECC support also make it attractive for low-power or reliability-focused desktop builds, while the i7-4770HQ’s mobile socket limits it to laptop or proprietary form factors.