CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-9100F vs Intel Core i3-9300
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-9100F is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor with disabled integrated graphics, launching at $122 to provide pure CPU performance for budget gaming builds where a discrete GPU is present.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Acceptable for single-task office work, but heavy browser multitasking will saturate the 4 threads quickly.
The 8 MB cache helps keep frequently used office applications responsive.
Gaming
Can handle older esports titles well, but modern AAA games will stutter due to the 4-thread limitation.
Slightly better than the 9100 due to cache and clocks, but 4 threads remain a hard bottleneck.
Virtualization
4 threads are insufficient to run a modern OS and a useful virtual machine simultaneously.
4 threads are insufficient for meaningful virtualization.
Efficiency
The 14nm process draws more power than modern alternatives for the level of performance delivered.
The 62 W TDP makes it slightly more efficient per clock than the 65 W 9100.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions required for modern AI inference
- No AI capabilities
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- Can handle very light esports at low settings if paired with a dedicated GPU
- The 4-thread limit causes significant stuttering in modern games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- 8 MB L3 cache provides a tangible latency reduction
- 62 W TDP is slightly more efficient than the 65 W standard
- Higher clocks than the i3-9100 out of the box
- UHD 630 included for display output
- ECC memory support (if motherboard allows)
Cons
- OEM-exclusive, impossible to buy at retail
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- No Hyper-Threading
- Memory locked to DDR4-2400 MT/s
- Outclassed by cheap used AMD Ryzen parts
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i3-9300
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget AM4
- Intel Core i3-9100Rival
Standard Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-9400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AFRival
Used Market Value
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10100Rival
Next-Gen Desktop
Our Verdict on Each
The 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 reviewThe i3-9300 is a minor tweak on the 9100, offering a bit more cache and slightly better efficiency, but its OEM-exclusive nature and 4-thread limit make it irrelevant for DIY builders.
Best for: The i3-9300 should only be considered if you are purchasing a pre-built desktop from an OEM (like HP or Lenovo) that happens to use this chip, and the price is heavily discounted. The 8 MB cache makes it a slightly better performer than a 9100 in single-task office environments. If you are building a PC yourself, you cannot buy this chip, and you shouldn't try to hunt it down on the grey market.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-9100F or Intel Core i3-9300?
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 i3-9100F or Intel Core i3-9300?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9100F leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i3-9100F and Intel Core i3-9300.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-9300 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-9100F (65 W), Intel Core i3-9300 (62 W).
Do Intel Core i3-9100F and Intel Core i3-9300 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 i3-9300 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-9100F (5,500), Intel Core i3-9300 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.