Intel Core i3-9100TE vs Intel Core i5-1030NG7 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-9100TE and Intel Core i5-1030NG7 are both end-of-life Intel processors, but they target entirely different corners of the market. The i3-9100TE is a 35 W desktop part built on the older Coffee Lake architecture, while the i5-1030NG7 is a 10 W mobile chip using the newer Ice Lake design. Benchmark data shows a clear, consistent victor in raw performance, but the architecture story explains why these chips exist and who should choose which.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-1030NG7 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, taking all six tests. The margins are remarkably uniform across the board, hovering around 18% in favor of the mobile chip. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-1030NG7 scores 4759 against the i3-9100TE’s 3900, a delta of -18.1% from the perspective of the desktop part. The single-core gap is nearly identical: 671 versus 550 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 18% difference. This consistency suggests the i5’s advantage is architectural rather than workload-specific.

The pattern repeats in older Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-1030NG7 posts 1998 versus 1638 for the i3-9100TE, again an 18% delta. Single-core in R20 shows 281 versus 231, a 17.8% gap. Even in the aging R15 test, the i5-1030NG7 leads 479 to 393 in multi-core and 67 to 55 in single-core, with deltas of 18% and 17.9% respectively. No benchmark shows the i3-9100TE ahead; it wins 0 out of 6 head-to-head tests.

The Geekbench results, which are only available for the i3-9100TE, put it at 3214 multi-core and 1105 single-core. That places its average benchmark score at 1386, which is nearly identical to the i5-1030NG7’s average of 1376. The i5-1030NG7’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4690 (delta 0.1%) and Intel Core i7-3740QM (delta -0.1%), while the i3-9100TE sits next to AMD Opteron 6274 (delta -0.1%) and AMD Opteron 6238 (delta 0.3%). Both chips land in the 36th-37th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are mid-pack performers despite the i5’s consistent head-to-head lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras. The i3-9100TE uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 126 mm². The i5-1030NG7 is built on Ice Lake (codenamed Ice Lake-Y) using a 10 nm process, with a slightly smaller die at 123 mm². The newer process node gives the i5 a manufacturing advantage, but the architectural differences go deeper.

Core counts are identical at 4 physical cores, but the i5-1030NG7 doubles the thread count with Hyper-Threading, offering 8 threads versus 4 on the i3-9100TE. This explains much of the multi-core performance gap. Clock speeds tell a different story: the i3-9100TE has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and boost of 3.20 GHz, while the i5-1030NG7 lists a base clock of 1100.00 MHz (1.10 GHz) and a boost of 3.50 GHz. The i5’s boost clock is higher, but its base clock is dramatically lower, reflecting its ultra-low-power design.

Cache layouts also differ. The i3-9100TE has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-1030NG7 increases L1 to 80 KB per core, keeps L2 at 256 KB per core, and maintains 6 MB of shared L3. The larger L1 cache on the i5 likely contributes to its single-core advantage. Memory bandwidth is another clear separation: the i3-9100TE supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-1030NG7 also supports DDR4 but reaches 51.2 GB/s.

The i3-9100TE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1151 with PCIe Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only), and supports ECC memory. It integrates UHD Graphics 630. The i5-1030NG7 is a mobile chip on Intel BGA 1044, lists PCIe Gen 3 without specifying lane count, and does not support ECC memory. Its integrated graphics are Iris Plus (64EU), a more capable iGPU than the UHD 630. In terms of power, the i3-9100TE has a 35 W TDP while the i5-1030NG7 sips at 10 W. The i3-9100TE launched with a $122 MSRP, while the i5-1030NG7 has no listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the i5-1030NG7 is the faster processor in every measured workload. Its 8 threads versus 4, higher boost clock, larger L1 cache, and newer 10 nm process all contribute to an approximate 18% performance lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single- and multi-core tests. The i3-9100TE offers no benchmark win to counterbalance this.

However, the choice is not purely about performance. The i3-9100TE fits a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1151) and supports ECC memory, features relevant for specific workstation or server-like environments where data integrity is critical. The i5-1030NG7 is a soldered mobile part (BGA 1044) with no ECC support, designed for thin-and-light laptops. Its 10 W TDP is a fraction of the i3-9100TE’s 35 W, making it suited for passively cooled or fanless designs. The i3-9100TE also carries a $122 launch MSRP, though pricing comparisons beyond that are not part of the data set.

For users building a desktop with a discrete GPU, the i3-9100TE’s 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and socketed form factor are practical. For ultraportable systems prioritizing battery life and integrated graphics, the i5-1030NG7 is the only sensible option. If raw CPU throughput is the sole criterion, the i5-1030NG7 wins decisively.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-9100TE has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: How much faster is the i5-1030NG7 in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-1030NG7 scores 4759 versus 3900 for the i3-9100TE, a delta of -18.1% (meaning the i3 is 18.1% slower).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-9100TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE has a 35 W TDP, and the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 has a 10 W TDP.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, compared to 3.20 GHz for the Intel Core i3-9100TE.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor include?

A: The i3-9100TE includes UHD Graphics 630, while the i5-1030NG7 includes Iris Plus (64EU).

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1030NG7 wins every benchmark category in the head-to-head data. Its strongest advantage is multi-threaded throughput, where the combination of 8 threads and a 3.50 GHz boost clock delivers 479 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 1998 in R20, and 4759 in R23. Single-core performance also favors the i5, with scores of 67, 281, and 671 across the same tests. The i5’s win margin is consistently around 18% regardless of test version, indicating a broad architectural superiority rather than a workload-specific edge.

The i3-9100TE has no benchmark wins, but its strengths lie elsewhere. It supports ECC memory, which the i5 does not, making it viable for error-sensitive computing tasks. It uses a socketed design (Intel Socket 1151) with 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, suitable for desktop builds with expansion cards. Its 35 W TDP, while higher than the i5’s 10 W, still qualifies as a low-power desktop part. The i3-9100TE also has a defined launch MSRP of $122, providing a reference point for cost-sensitive buyers.

For pure compute workloads—rendering, encoding, compilation—the i5-1030NG7 is the clear pick based on the data. For embedded or industrial applications requiring ECC memory, or for DIY desktop builds needing a socketed CPU, the i3-9100TE is the only choice between the two. The i5-1030NG7’s mobile BGA form factor limits it to pre-built laptops, while the i3-9100TE offers flexibility for custom systems. In short, the i5 wins on performance and efficiency, while the i3 wins on platform flexibility and ECC support.