Intel Core i3-9100TE vs Intel Core i7-3740QM Comparison

The Intel Core i3-9100TE and Intel Core i7-3740QM present a fascinating generational clash, with the data showing a clear split between legacy multi-threaded workloads and modern single-threaded tasks. The i7-3740QM wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmarks, taking 6 out of 8 tests, but the i3-9100TE delivers decisive victories in Geekbench, which measures a different aspect of performance. The i3-9100TE is the better choice for users prioritizing newer instruction sets and memory bandwidth in everyday applications, while the i7-3740QM remains a strong contender for heavily threaded legacy software. The avgBenchmarkScore for the i3-9100TE is 1386, placing it in the 37th percentile, while the i7-3740QM scores 1378, landing in the 36th percentile, making them effectively equal in overall standing despite their divergent strengths.

The Verdict

The benchmark data dictates a clear verdict based on workload. The Intel Core i7-3740QM is the superior processor for multi-threaded rendering tasks, as it leads in every Cinebench test by a consistent margin of approximately 19.6% to 20.3%. Its 8 threads provide a significant advantage in applications that can utilize them, making it the pick for video editing, 3D modeling, and other CPU-intensive parallel workloads. Conversely, the Intel Core i3-9100TE is the winner for general system responsiveness and single-threaded performance, as demonstrated by its massive 84.5% lead in Geekbench single-core and 61.3% lead in Geekbench multi-core. For users whose daily driver involves web browsing, office productivity, and older software, the i3-9100TE will feel snappier. The i7-3740QM is a legacy mobile part, while the i3-9100TE is a newer, lower-power desktop chip. The i3-9100TE should be chosen by those building a low-power desktop for modern workloads, while the i7-3740QM should be considered for users upgrading an older laptop or needing raw multi-core muscle in a mobile form factor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel design, which explains their performance profiles. The Intel Core i3-9100TE is built on the Coffee Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM uses the older Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This generational gap is reflected in their transistor counts and die sizes. The i7-3740QM packs 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die, whereas the i3-9100TE fits its silicon into a smaller 126 mm² die. Both processors have 4 physical cores, but the i7-3740QM features Hyper-Threading, providing 8 threads, while the i3-9100TE is limited to 4 threads. The i7-3740QM also has higher clock speeds, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to the i3-9100TE's base of 2.20 GHz and boost of 3.20 GHz. Cache configurations are identical in structure, with both offering 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, alongside a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The i3-9100TE supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-3740QM's memory support is not specified in the data. The i3-9100TE also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i7-3740QM. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i3-9100TE has UHD Graphics 630, while the i7-3740QM has the older Intel HD 4000. The i3-9100TE uses an Intel Socket 1151 interface, whereas the i7-3740QM is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1224, with a higher TDP of 45W compared to the i3-9100TE's 35W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head comparison is the Geekbench divergence. The i3-9100TE scores 1105 in Geekbench single-core, a staggering 84.5% higher than the i7-3740QM's 599. This delta is enormous and highlights the architectural efficiency gains of Coffee Lake over Ivy Bridge in short, bursty workloads. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-9100TE scores 3214 versus 1993 for the i7-3740QM, a 61.3% advantage. These Geekbench wins are the i3-9100TE's only two victories in the eight-test suite, but they are decisive. The i7-3740QM, however, dominates in all Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3740QM scores 489 against the i3-9100TE's 393, a 19.6% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 69 versus 55, a 20.3% lead for the i7. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i7-3740QM leads by 19.7% in multi-core (2040 vs 1638) and 19.8% in single-core (288 vs 231). The R23 results are equally consistent, with the i7-3740QM scoring 4859 in multi-core versus 3900 for the i3-9100TE, and 686 versus 550 in single-core, both representing a 19.7% and 19.8% win respectively. The data reveals a fundamental split: Cinebench's rendering engine favors the i7-3740QM's higher clocks and extra threads, while Geekbench's diverse workload suite favors the i3-9100TE's newer architecture and faster memory interface.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE has a slightly higher avgBenchmarkScore of 1386 compared to the Intel Core i7-3740QM's 1378. This places the i3-9100TE in the 37th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-3740QM sits in the 36th percentile.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: Both processors have 4 physical cores. However, the Intel Core i7-3740QM supports Hyper-Threading, giving it 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-9100TE has only 4 threads. This thread advantage is a key factor in the i7's Cinebench victories.

Q: How do their integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE features UHD Graphics 630, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM is equipped with the older Intel HD 4000. The data does not include benchmark scores for these iGPUs.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM does not. This makes the i3-9100TE a potential option for basic error-correcting workstation builds.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE was released on 2019-03-31, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM was released earlier on 2012-09-02. The i3-9100TE is a newer part and is marked as end-of-life, while the i7-3740QM's production status is not specified.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i3-9100TE?

A: The launch MSRP of the Intel Core i3-9100TE is $122. The data does not list a launch MSRP for the Intel Core i7-3740QM.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3740QM is the clear winner in rendering and compute-heavy multi-threaded workloads. Its 8 threads and higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz give it a consistent ~20% advantage in every Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 test, both single and multi-core. This makes it the superior choice for users running video transcoding, 3D rendering in applications like Blender or Cinema 4D, and any software that scales well with thread count. The i7-3740QM also wins in the legacy Cinebench benchmarks, suggesting it holds up better in older, single-threaded optimized applications that rely on raw clock speed rather than architectural improvements. Its higher TDP of 45W reflects its willingness to draw more power to sustain these performance levels.

The Intel Core i3-9100TE wins decisively in the Geekbench suite, which is a more general-purpose benchmark covering a wider variety of tasks like encryption, compression, and memory operations. Its 84.5% lead in single-core Geekbench and 61.3% lead in multi-core Geekbench indicate superior performance in everyday applications, web browsing, and office suites that are less dependent on multi-threading. The i3-9100TE's support for DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, alongside its 14 nm process node, contributes to this efficiency. It is also the only one of the two with ECC memory support, making it suitable for entry-level NAS or server applications where data integrity is critical. The i3-9100TE's lower TDP of 35W and desktop socket (Socket 1151) make it an easier fit for compact, energy-efficient desktop builds. In summary, pick the i7-3740QM for raw compute and rendering, and the i3-9100TE for a modern, efficient desktop experience.