CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8100 vs Intel Core i3-9100F
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-8100 is a historically significant 8th-generation desktop processor that introduced 4 physical cores to the mainstream i3 tier, replacing the dual-core designs of previous generations.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The lack of Hyper-Threading severely limits performance in heavily threaded office applications compared to newer 8-thread budget chips.
Acceptable for single-task office work, but heavy browser multitasking will saturate the 4 threads quickly.
Gaming
Paired with a strong discrete GPU, it can still handle older eSports titles, but modern AAA games will be heavily CPU bottlenecked.
Can handle older esports titles well, but modern AAA games will stutter due to the 4-thread limitation.
Virtualization
4 threads is the absolute minimum for running a modern OS and a single light virtual machine.
4 threads are insufficient to run a modern OS and a useful virtual machine simultaneously.
Efficiency
The 14nm process is power-hungry compared to modern 7nm or 5nm alternatives, drawing 65W for modest performance.
The 14nm process draws more power than modern alternatives for the level of performance delivered.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware acceleration
- Lacks AVX-512
- Far too slow for any practical AI inference
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions required for modern AI inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Requires a dedicated GPU for any gaming
- Fixed clock speed prevents single-thread boosts
- 4 cores are becoming the bare minimum for modern games
- Delivers playable frame rates in CS:GO, Valorant, and League of Legends
- Severely bottlenecked in modern titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield
- System will not post without a discrete GPU installed
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Historically significant for bringing 4 cores to the i3 tier
- Very cheap on the used market
- Low 65W TDP is easy to cool
- UHD 630 iGPU is sufficient for basic display tasks
- Stable, mature platform with abundant used motherboards
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading (4 cores, 4 threads only)
- No Turbo Boost (fixed 3.6 GHz clock)
- DDR4 memory speed artificially capped at 2400 MT/s
- Outdated 14nm architecture with poor efficiency
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
Pros
- Strong single-core clock speeds for its era
- Low $122 launch price made PC gaming accessible
- 65 W TDP is easy to cool
- No iGPU means no wasted power on unused silicon
- Compatible with cheap H310/B360 motherboards
Cons
- Only 4 threads severely limit modern performance
- No integrated graphics means a dead system if the dGPU fails
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions
- Memory artificially limited to DDR4-2400 MT/s
- Outperformed by cheaper used AMD Ryzen 5 parts
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-8100
- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GRival
Budget Desktop APU
- Intel Pentium Gold G5400Rival
Entry Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1400Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-7400Rival
Previous Gen Mid-Range
A drop-in replacement (with a BIOS update) that adds Hyper-Threading for 8 threads and much higher clocks.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Alt
Offers SMT (8 threads) and a modern upgrade path to Ryzen 5000 series.
If staying on the exact same platform, the 8400 offers 6 cores for much better multitasking.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A massively faster 12-thread CPU that redefines budget performance.
The current king of budget computing, offering IPC gains that make the 8100 look stationary.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-9100F
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AFRival
Budget AM4
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Entry-Level AM4
- Intel Core i3-10100FRival
Next-Gen Budget
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GRival
Budget APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-9400FRival
Mainstream Budget
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Alt
A modern 6-core/12-thread processor that redefines budget gaming.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
If found on sale, offers a massive performance leap over the 9100F.
Our Verdict on Each
A landmark chip in 2017 for bringing quad-core computing to the masses, but thoroughly outclassed by modern budget processors in every metric.
Best for: The only justifiable scenario for purchasing an Intel Core i3-8100 today is if you are repairing an existing LGA 1151 v2 system (like an office PC or a hand-me-down) and can find the CPU for under $20 on the used market. Even then, you must consider that the 8100 lacks Hyper-Threading, which severely limits its longevity in modern operating systems that are increasingly optimized for 8 or more threads. If you are building a new system, even the absolute cheapest new motherboard and CPU combo from AMD or Intel's 12th/13th gen will offer exponentially better performance, efficiency, and platform features like PCIe 4.0 or DDR5. Do not buy this CPU for gaming, as the lack of Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading will cause severe stuttering in modern titles compared to a modern Ryzen 3.
Read the full reviewThe i3-9100F offered decent single-core speed for its price in 2019, but the lack of Hyper-Threading made it age poorly compared to AMD's 6-core/12-thread alternatives.
Best for: You should only consider the i3-9100F today if you are repairing an existing LGA 1151 gaming PC and can find the chip for under $20 on the used market. It can serve as a stopgap to keep an older system running esports titles. If you are building a new PC, even the cheapest modern alternatives like the i3-12100F will completely obliterate it in performance. Do not buy this new.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-8100 or Intel Core i3-9100F?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-9100F comes out ahead with a score of 5.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i3-8100 or Intel Core i3-9100F?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9100F leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i3-8100 and Intel Core i3-9100F.
Do Intel Core i3-8100 and Intel Core i3-9100F use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-9100F posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-9100F (5,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.