Intel Core i3-9100F vs Intel Core i7-7700

The Intel Core i7-7700 (Kaby Lake S architecture, 2017) was designed for mainstream and gaming systems and features integrated Intel HD Graphics 630.

The Intel Core i3-9100F (Coffee Lake S Refresh architecture, 2019) targets budget-conscious gaming but requires a dedicated graphics card.

Both processors are manufactured using a 14 nm process. The Intel Core i7-7700 offers 4 cores and 8 threads (Hyper-Threading) with 8 MB of Level 3 cache. The Intel Core i3-9100F has 4 cores and 4 threads (without Hyper-Threading) with 6 MB of Level 3 cache. Both use PCIe Version 3.0 and offer a maximum memory bandwidth of 38 GB/s; neither has a Level 2 cache.

The Intel Core i7-7700 shows significantly higher multi-core performance. The single-core performance of the Intel Core i3-9100F is comparable or slightly superior in newer benchmarks. For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9100F is often advantageous, as its higher clock frequency scales well in many games.

The Intel Core i7-7700 also delivers solid gaming performance, although its additional threads are less often crucial there. Both processors have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 65 Watts, which indicates a similar power requirement. In the used market, the Intel Core i3-9100F often offers a better price-performance ratio for gaming.

The Intel Core i7-7700 is a good choice for demanding multitasking. The Intel Core i7-7700 impresses with multitasking performance and integrated graphics, ideal for productivity. The Intel Core i3-9100F is an affordable gaming option for systems with a dedicated graphics card.