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Intel Core i3 9100F Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£95
  • Avg. price in US: ~$100
  • PassMark benchmark result: 6703
  • N. of physical cores: 4
  • CPU boost clock speed: 4.2 GHz

Intel Core i3 9100F review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

4.7

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.1

Technical Score

10.0%

9.4

User score

Poor
4.1

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

3.3

Performance

18.0%

4.8

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

5.0

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

6.4

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.5

Platform

1.0%

3.4

Integrated Graphics

Poor
9.4

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(3157)
amazon
4.5
(18)
amazon
5.0
(4)
amazon
4.5
(2)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Exceptional
  • 3.7
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    4.1

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    4.0

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    5.2

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    1.8

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    1.8

    N. of physical cores

  • 2.0
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.3

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    1.8

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    1.6

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    1.8

    L3 cache

  • intel-core-i3-9100f
  • intel-core-i3-9100f
  • intel-core-i3-9100f
intel-core-i3-9100f
intel-core-i3-9100f
intel-core-i3-9100f

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Intel Core i3-9100F is a 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh quad-core processor featuring 4 cores, 4 threads, a 3.6 GHz base clock, and a 4.2 GHz turbo frequency with a 65W TDP. It includes 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR4-2400 memory on the LGA 1151 socket. Main pros include its affordability for budget gaming builds, reliable single-core performance boosted by Turbo Boost 2.0, and support for ECC memory. However, it lacks integrated graphics (requiring a discrete GPU), does not support hyper-threading, and has a locked multiplier that prevents traditional overclocking.

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i3 9100F

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

3.3

Performance

18.0%

4.8

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

5.0

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

6.4

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.5

Platform

1.0%

3.4

Integrated Graphics

4.1
Intel Core i3 9100F has a technical score of 4.12 points, which is lower than that of 77.5% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(3157)
amazon
4.5
(18)
amazon
5.0
(4)
amazon
4.5
(2)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.4
Intel Core i3 9100F has a user score of 9.44 points, which is higher than that of 93.7% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
10
Intel Core i3 9100F has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 88.3% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.7

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.3
Intel Core i3 9100F has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.3 points, which is lower than 51% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

desktop
Intel Core i3 9100F belongs to the desktop processor class, which is more advanced than that of 56% of processors and equal to that of 37.9% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

LGA1151
Intel Core i3 9100F uses the LGA1151 CPU socket, which is newer than that of 60.1% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

Z390, Z370, Q370, H370, B365, B360, H310
Intel Core i3 9100F supports Z390, Z370, Q370, H370, B365, B360, H310 chipsets, which is broader compatibility than 57.1% of processors and equal to that of 4.4% of processors.
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
Intel Core i3 9100F uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
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N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

4
Intel Core i3 9100F has 4 CPU cores, which is fewer than 50.7% of processors and equal to 28.5% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

4
Intel Core i3 9100F offers 4 CPU threads, which is fewer than 67.3% of processors and equal to 26.6% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

1
Intel Core i3 9100F offers 1 threads per core, which is fewer than 69.7% of processors and equal to 30.3% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

4.2 GHz
Intel Core i3 9100F reaches a boost clock of 4.2 GHz which is lower than that of 51.9% of processors and equal to that of 4.3% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

4 x 3.6 GHz
Intel Core i3 9100F has a base clock of 4x3.6 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
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Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

14 nm
Intel Core i3 9100F uses a 14 nm process node, which is older than that of 50.8% of processors and equal to that of 33.7% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel 14 nm
Intel Core i3 9100F is built on the Intel 14 nm foundry process, which is less advanced than that of 55.2% of processors and equal to that of 29.3% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

6 MB
Intel Core i3 9100F has an L3 cache of 6 MB which is smaller than that of 60.4% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

1 MB
Intel Core i3 9100F has an L2 cache of 1 MB which is smaller than that of 67.1% of processors and equal to that of 17.6% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

256 KB
Intel Core i3 9100F has an L1 cache of 256 KB which is smaller than that of 59.4% of processors and equal to that of 18.5% of processors.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR4
Intel Core i3 9100F supports DDR DDR4, which is newer than that of 26.3% of processors and equal to that of 31.7% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

2,400 MHz
Intel Core i3 9100F supports memory speeds up to 2400 MHz, which is lower than that of 63.2% of processors and equal to 12.4% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

DDR4-2400 MHz
Intel Core i3 9100F supports JEDEC memory speeds up to DDR4-2400 MHz, which is lower than that of 63.4% of processors and equal to 10.6% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

?
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

64 GB
Intel Core i3 9100F supports up to 64 GB of memory, which is more than 28.4% of processors and equal to 27.6% of processors.
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Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

no
Intel Core i3 9100F does not include integrated graphics. 87.6% of processors include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

N/A
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

?
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

N/A
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TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

65 W
Intel Core i3 9100F has a TDP of 65 W which is higher than that of 70% of processors and equal to that of 16.1% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

65 W
Intel Core i3 9100F has a base power of 65 W which is higher than that of 70.3% of processors and equal to that of 16.4% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

?
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

8 seconds
Intel Core i3 9100F has a turbo duration of 8 seconds which is longer than that of 89.1% of processors and equal to that of 7.1% of processors.
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

no
Intel Core i3 9100F does not support configurable TDP. 52.9% of processors support configurable TDP.
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Intel Core i3 9100F vs the average processor

  • Includes stock cooler
    Intel Core i3 9100F includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.
    What it is: A stock CPU cooler is included in the box with the processor.
    When it matters: When total build cost matters and you need to know whether separate cooling must be bought right away.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i3 9100F includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.
  • 2.27x faster classroom rendering
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (1,798 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.
    What it is: A Blender render result based on the Classroom scene, used to show how quickly the processor can complete a demanding rendering workload.
    When it matters: When rendering speed matters for 3D work, content creation, or other workloads that behave like long multi-core renders.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >1500

    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (1,798 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.1,798 vs 791.745
  • 64.5% faster Blender rendering
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (545.8 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.
    What it is: A Blender render result based on the BMW27 scene, used to show how quickly the processor can finish a heavy 3D rendering task.
    When it matters: When rendering speed matters for 3D work, content creation, or other workloads that behave like long multi-core renders.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >290

    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (545.8 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.545.8 vs 331.88
  • Supports ECC memory
    Intel Core i3 9100F supports ECC memory, the average processor does not.
    What it is: Can work with ECC memory, which helps detect and correct certain memory errors on supported platforms.
    When it matters: When long-term stability, uptime, or data integrity matter more than a basic consumer-style setup.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i3 9100F supports ECC memory, the average processor does not.
  • 29.2% smaller die size
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower die size than the average processor (126 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
    What it is: The physical area of the processor die, usually measured in square millimeters.
    When it matters: When you are comparing chip scale, packaging density, or broader design differences rather than direct user-visible performance.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <150 mm²

    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower die size than the average processor (126 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².126 mm² vs 178 mm²
  • 10x more popular
    Intel Core i3 9100F is more popular than the average processor (10.00 vs 1.000).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
    When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
    Intel Core i3 9100F is more popular than the average processor (10.00 vs 1.000).10 vs 1
  • 18% higher user score
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher user score than the average processor (9.44 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.
    When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher user score than the average processor (9.44 vs 8.000).9.44 vs 8
  • Modern CPU socket
    Intel Core i3 9100F uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1,151 vs FP2).
    What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

    Importance: HIGH

    Intel Core i3 9100F uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1,151 vs FP2).LGA1151 vs FP2
  • Modern CPU socket
    Intel Core i3 9100F uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1,151 vs FP2).
  • 2.27x faster classroom rendering
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (1,798 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.
  • 64.5% faster Blender rendering
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (545.8 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.
  • 29.2% smaller die size
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower die size than the average processor (126 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
  • More advanced microarchitecture
    Intel Core i3 9100F uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Coffee Lake Refresh vs Kaby Lake).
  • Supports ECC memory
    Intel Core i3 9100F supports ECC memory, the average processor does not.
  • Includes stock cooler
    Intel Core i3 9100F includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.

Total
Overall
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Power & Thermal
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core i3 9100F supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
  • No crypto acceleration
    Intel Core i3 9100F does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
  • 57.8% weaker multi-core performance
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,175 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i3 9100F has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • No multithreading support
    Intel Core i3 9100F does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    Intel Core i3 9100F has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
  • 36.4% lower PassMark score
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (6,703 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 22.3% lower multi-core score
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (3,723 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 1 fewer threads per core
    Intel Core i3 9100F has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
  • 2.3% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • 4.5% lower single-core score
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,405 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 16.7% larger process node
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • 60% smaller L2 cache
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • 50% less L2 per core
    Intel Core i3 9100F has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
  • 12.5% less L3 per core
    Intel Core i3 9100F has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1.5 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
  • 33.3% smaller L1 cache
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (256 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • 25% smaller L3 cache
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower L3 cache than the average processor (6 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
  • 18.1% lower memory bandwidth
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (37.5 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
  • 18.2% lower memory speed
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (2,400 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • No integrated graphics
    Intel Core i3 9100F does not include integrated graphics, the average processor does.
  • 44.4% higher base power
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
  • No configurable TDP
    Intel Core i3 9100F does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
  • 44.4% higher TDP
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
  • 20 seconds shorter turbo duration
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower turbo duration limit than the average processor (8 seconds vs 28 seconds). The average processor maintains turbo for 28 seconds.
  • 57.8% weaker multi-core performance
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,175 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
    What it is: A Cinebench R20 score that reflects how well the processor handles long, heavy rendering workloads across many cores.
    When it matters: When you care about sustained multi-core performance in rendering, compiling, heavy creation work, or productivity workloads that use many threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4700

    Intel Core i3 9100F has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,175 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.1,175 vs 2,783
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i3 9100F has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Intel Core i3 9100F has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.4 vs 6
  • No multithreading support
    Intel Core i3 9100F does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
    What it is: Lets each physical core run more than one thread at the same time, such as with Hyper-Threading or SMT.
    When it matters: When multitasking, rendering, compiling, virtualization, or other thread-heavy work benefits from more total processing threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Intel Core i3 9100F does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core i3 9100F supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
    What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
    When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i3 9100F supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).MMX, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
  • 16.7% larger process node
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
    What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
    When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <10 nm

    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.14 nm vs 12 nm
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    Intel Core i3 9100F has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
    What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
    When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 16+

    Intel Core i3 9100F has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.4 vs 8
  • 44.4% higher base power
    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
    When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <30 W

    Intel Core i3 9100F has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.65 W vs 45 W
  • 50% less L2 per core
    Intel Core i3 9100F has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
    What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=1 MB/core

    Intel Core i3 9100F has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.0.25 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
Total
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Integrated Graphics
Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i3 9100F and other processors

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
3157 Reviews
amazon
4.5
18 Reviews
amazon
5.0
4 Reviews
amazon
4.5
2 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Intel Core i3 9100F?

  • Excellent value for budget-conscious entry-level gaming builds
  • Strong single-core performance with a 4.2GHz turbo boost, outperforming some older i7 models
  • Low power consumption (65W TDP) and generally runs cool even with the stock cooler
  • Reliable for daily office tasks, web browsing, and light content creation
  • Good compatibility with affordable H310 and B365 motherboards

What customers dislike about Intel Core i3 9100F?

  • Lack of Hyper-Threading (4 cores/4 threads) causes stuttering in modern AAA games
  • No integrated graphics requires a mandatory dedicated GPU to get video output
  • Severe CPU bottlenecking when paired with mid-to-high-tier graphics cards (e.g., RTX 2060 and above)
  • Poor multitasking and background app performance (e.g., Discord or Spotify lagging during play)
  • Limited memory support (officially up to DDR4-2400)

Expert reviews

C
cpubenchmark.net
15/04/2019
Intel Core i3-9100F @ 3.60GHz - CPU Benchmarks Would you like a similar list of motherboards or compatible components for a budget build centered arou...

The Intel Core i3-9100F is a 9th-generation Coffee Lake budget processor, featuring four cores with a 3.60 GHz base clock and high single-thread performance compared to older i5 models. Key advantages include an excellent price-to-performance ratio for entry-level gaming, 4.2 GHz turbo boost, a 65W TDP for low power consumption, and an included stock cooler. However, the "F" suffix...Read more

C
cpu.userbenchmark.com
21/05/2019
Intel Core i3-9100F BX80684I39100F - CPU UserBenchmarks

The Intel Core i3-9100F is a 9th-generation, 4-core/4-thread Coffee Lake processor operating at 3.6 GHz (4.2 GHz turbo), known for strong single-core performance despite lacking integrated graphics. Key advantages include an excellent price-to-performance ratio for budget gaming and low-power, 65W, with potential for15% higher frame rates when using Z390 motherboards for faster RAM....Read more

T
techspot.com
18/02/2020
Intel Core i3-9100F vs. Ryzen 5 1600 AF

The 2020 TechSpot budget CPU battle highlights the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF as superior to the Intel Core i3-9100F, largely due to its six-core/twelve-thread design offering nearly double the multi-threaded performance in benchmarks like Cinebench R20 and 7-Zip. While the i3-9100F, priced similarly at around $85, excelled in single-core tasks, it struggled with severe stuttering and poor...Read more

S
servethehome.com
25/10/2019
Intel Core i3-9100F Benchmarks and Review for Servers

The ServeTheHome review identifies the Intel Core i3-9100F as a high-value, low-cost option for entry-level servers, such as FreeNAS or Unraid, offering similar performance to more expensive options due to the addition of Turbo Boost up to 4.2 GHz. Key pros include support for ECC memory for data integrity, low power consumption, and a reduced price point for systems that do not...Read more

C
computerbase.de
20/10/2023
Processor Rankings: AMD and Intel CPU Benchmark Comparison

According to the ComputerBase review, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D stands out for its superior gaming performance, driven by 3D V-Cache technology. It competes with Intel's 14th Gen, specifically the i9-14900K, which remains superior in multi-threaded productivity. While AMD's AM5 platform offers long-term socket support as a key pro, high power consumption and thermal demands remain a...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
17/04/2020
Thorough and independent Intel Core i3-9100F reviews on Tweakers

According to user reviews on Tweakers, the Intel Core i3-9100F is considered a high-value, budget-friendly option for entry-level gaming and daily productivity, offering roughly 10-15% better single-threaded performance than its predecessor. The processor is praised for its high 4.2 GHz boost clock, low 65W power consumption, and cool operation, making it suitable for compact,...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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