Intel Core i3-9300 vs Intel Core i7-1060G7 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a clear but narrow picture: the Intel Core i7-1060G7 wins every single recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i3-9300. Across six Cinebench workloads, covering both single-core and multi-core rendering, the mobile Ice Lake part takes all six wins. The Intel Core i3-9300 records zero wins in the database, meaning there is no tested workload where the desktop Coffee Lake chip comes out ahead.

The margin is consistent rather than dramatic. In multi-core tests, the i7-1060G7 leads by 2.3% to 2.4% depending on the Cinebench version. In single-core tests, the lead ranges from 2.2% to 2.6%. These are not generational gaps; they are small but repeatable advantages that hold across every rendering scenario in the database.

The use-case split is therefore not about raw performance dominance. Instead, it is about platform context. The i7-1060G7 is a mobile processor with a 9 W TDP, while the i3-9300 is a desktop part with a 62 W TDP. The i7-1060G7 delivers slightly better Cinebench scores while consuming a fraction of the power envelope. That makes it the choice for fanless or ultra-portable designs, thin-and-light laptops, and any scenario where thermal headroom is scarce. The i3-9300, despite losing every benchmark, remains relevant for desktop systems where power draw is less constrained, and where the user needs a socketed, upgradeable platform.

Neither chip distinguishes itself in the broader CPU population. Both sit at the 39th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are essentially average performers in the full spectrum of processors. The i7-1060G7 has an average benchmark score of 1591, while the i3-9300 sits at 1554. That 2.3% overall gap mirrors the head-to-head results. For workloads beyond Cinebench, the database provides no evidence that either chip pulls ahead, so buyers should treat these as comparable in general compute, with the i7-1060G7 holding a slight edge in the tested render workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families with fundamentally different design goals. The i7-1060G7 uses the Ice Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, with the Ice Lake-Y codename and the Sunny Cove-Y core generation. The i3-9300 is Coffee Lake on a 14 nm process, specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh generation. The process node difference is significant: 10 nm versus 14 nm, which explains the massive TDP disparity. The i7-1060G7 is rated at 9 W, while the i3-9300 draws 62 W.

Both chips have four physical cores, but threading differs. The i7-1060G7 supports 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The i3-9300 has 4 threads, one per core, with no hyper-threading. This is a structural advantage for the mobile chip in multi-threaded workloads, though the benchmark data shows the actual performance gap is modest.

Cache layouts are similar in L3 capacity, with both sharing 8 MB of L3 across the cores. The L1 cache differs: 80 KB per core on the i7-1060G7 versus 64 KB per core on the i3-9300. L2 cache is identical at 256 KB per core. The die sizes are close, at 123 mm² for the i7-1060G7 and 126 mm² for the i3-9300, despite the different process nodes.

Memory support diverges significantly. The i7-1060G7 lists DDR4 memory with a quad-channel bus, while the i3-9300 uses dual-channel DDR4 with a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i7-1060G7 does not list a bandwidth figure in the database. ECC memory support also differs: the i3-9300 supports ECC, while the i7-1060G7 does not. This makes the desktop chip more suitable for error-sensitive compute tasks.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-1060G7 uses Iris Plus graphics, while the i3-9300 has UHD 630. The database does not provide benchmark figures for either GPU, but the naming suggests the mobile chip has a more capable integrated solution. The i7-1060G7 uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the i3-9300 uses Intel Socket 1151. The i3-9300 is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i7-1060G7 is active. The i3-9300 carries a launch MSRP of $143, while the i7-1060G7 has no recorded launch price.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides six data points, and the i7-1060G7 wins all of them. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-1060G7 scores 554 against 541 for the i3-9300, a 2.4% lead. In R15 single-core, the margin is 2.6%: 78 versus 76. These are the largest single-test deltas in the entire comparison, but the absolute scores are low, reflecting the low-power nature of the mobile chip.

Cinebench R20 shows a similar pattern. Multi-core results give the i7-1060G7 a 2310 score against 2257 for the i3-9300, a 2.3% difference. Single-core in R20 is 325 versus 318, a 2.2% edge. The R20 multi-core test is the second-largest absolute gap in the data, with the i7-1060G7 ahead by 53 points.

Cinebench R23, the most recent workload in the database, continues the trend. Multi-core scores are 5500 for the i7-1060G7 and 5374 for the i3-9300, again a 2.3% delta. Single-core R23 is 776 versus 758, a 2.4% advantage. The R23 multi-core gap of 126 points is the largest absolute difference across all tests.

The consistency of these results is notable. Every delta falls between 2.2% and 2.6%, which suggests the performance difference is systematic rather than workload-specific. The i7-1060G7's extra threads likely contribute to the multi-core wins, while its higher IPC from the newer Sunny Cove architecture likely drives the single-core wins, even though the i3-9300 has a higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. The i3-9300 also has a much higher base clock of 3.70 GHz versus 1.00 GHz on the i7-1060G7. Despite those clock advantages, the i7-1060G7 still wins every test, indicating the architectural efficiency of the newer design compensates for the lower clocks.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but conditional winner. The Intel Core i7-1060G7 outperforms the Intel Core i3-9300 in every recorded Cinebench test, with margins of roughly 2% to 3%. It does so while consuming 9 W of power, compared to 62 W for the i3-9300. That efficiency advantage is the defining characteristic of this comparison. Anyone building a system where power draw and thermals are primary constraints, such as an ultrabook or a compact mobile workstation, should choose the i7-1060G7 based on the recorded data.

The i3-9300 still has a role. It offers ECC memory support, which the i7-1060G7 lacks, making it suitable for workloads that require error-correcting memory. It also uses a socketed desktop platform, which allows for easier upgrades and longer system life. Its higher clock speeds, 3.70 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, do not translate into benchmark wins in the database, but they may benefit workloads not covered by Cinebench. The i3-9300 is also end-of-life, so new system builds may prefer the active i7-1060G7 for availability reasons.

For raw Cinebench performance, the i7-1060G7 is the pick. For a desktop system requiring ECC and socketed upgradability, the i3-9300 remains defensible despite losing every benchmark. Both chips sit at the 39th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a top-tier performer. The choice comes down to platform needs and power constraints, not performance supremacy.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-1060G7 wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 554 in R15, 2310 in R20, and 5500 in R23, versus 541, 2257, and 5374 for the i3-9300. The deltas are 2.4%, 2.3%, and 2.3% respectively.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i7-1060G7 wins every single-core test as well. R15 scores are 78 versus 76, R20 scores are 325 versus 318, and R23 scores are 776 versus 758. The deltas range from 2.2% to 2.6%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The i7-1060G7 has a TDP of 9 W, while the i3-9300 has a TDP of 62 W. This is a substantial difference, with the mobile chip drawing far less power.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. However, the i7-1060G7 supports 8 threads, while the i3-9300 supports only 4 threads, meaning the i7-1060G7 has hyper-threading and the i3-9300 does not.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the i3-9300 supports ECC memory. The i7-1060G7 does not list ECC support in the database.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The i7-1060G7 uses a 10 nm process, while the i3-9300 uses a 14 nm process. The i7-1060G7 is based on Ice Lake architecture, and the i3-9300 is based on Coffee Lake.