CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8100F vs Intel Core i3-9100F
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-8100F is a notoriously short-lived 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor that lacked integrated graphics, launched and then abruptly cancelled before wide distribution.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Functions identically to an i3-8100 for desktop tasks.
Acceptable for single-task office work, but heavy browser multitasking will saturate the 4 threads quickly.
Gaming
The fixed 3.6 GHz clock and 4 threads provide a very baseline experience, similar to the i3-8100 but with no iGPU fallback.
Can handle older esports titles well, but modern AAA games will stutter due to the 4-thread limitation.
Virtualization
4 threads with no SMT is the absolute minimum for any modern OS.
4 threads are insufficient to run a modern OS and a useful virtual machine simultaneously.
Efficiency
Draws a constant 65W because there is no Turbo Boost power state cycling.
The 14nm process draws more power than modern alternatives for the level of performance delivered.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware.
- 4 threads are insufficient.
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions required for modern AI inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Requires a discrete GPU.
- Fixed 3.6 GHz is too low for modern AAA games.
- Lacks the burst performance of even cheaper Pentium chips that have Turbo Boost.
- 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
- Historical novelty value
- Functions as a standard Coffee Lake i3 if you have a GPU
- Fixed 3.6 GHz is higher than the T-series chips
- Supports ECC memory
Cons
- Cancelled by Intel, no support
- Extremely rare and hard to find
- No integrated graphics
- No Hyper-Threading
- No Turbo Boost
- Overpriced on the secondary market due to rarity
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 i3-8100F
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100Rival
Standard Desktop
- Intel Pentium Gold G5400Rival
Entry Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-9100FRival
Next-Gen Budget
- Intel Core i5-8400FAlt
A massively better F-series option with 6 cores.
- Intel Core i3-10100FAlt
A modern, easily available budget gaming option.
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 historically bizarre chip that lacked both Hyper-Threading and integrated graphics. Its abrupt cancellation means it is practically irrelevant for any practical computing today.
Best for: Only as a collector's piece if found in its original box for a reasonable price.
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 i3-8100F 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 i3-8100F or Intel Core i3-9100F?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9100F leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i3-8100F and Intel Core i3-9100F.
Do Intel Core i3-8100F 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.