Intel Core i7-6700 vs Intel Core i3-9100

The Intel Core i7-6700 (Skylake S) is a 6th generation desktop processor designed for mainstream multitasking.

It features 4 cores, 8 threads, and 8 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core i3-9100 (Coffee Lake S Refresh) is a 9th generation desktop processor aimed at high single-core performance for entry-level to mid-range systems.

It offers 4 cores, 4 threads, and 6 MB of L3 cache. Both are manufactured using a 14-nm process and support PCIe 3.0. In single-core performance, the Intel Core i3-9100 surpasses the Intel Core i7-6700 by over 10 percent in newer benchmarks like Cinebench 2024, while the Intel Core i7-6700 leads in Cinebench R23.

For multi-core tasks, the Intel Core i7-6700, thanks to its 8 threads, is over 10 percent superior to the Intel Core i3-9100 (4 threads) in Cinebench 2024. The maximum memory bandwidth is 34 GB/s for the Intel Core i7-6700 and 38 GB/s for the Intel Core i3-9100. For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9100 is often more advantageous as its newer architecture delivers better single-core performance.

The Intel Core i7-6700 can keep up in multithreaded games, but its older architecture is limiting. Both 14-nm CPUs operate in a comparable power range, with the Intel Core i3-9100 tending to be more efficient. Without market prices, the price-performance ratio is difficult to determine, but the Intel Core i3-9100 potentially offers more value for modern everyday use and light gaming.

The Intel Core i7-6700 features Intel HD Graphics 530, while the Intel Core i3-9100 is equipped with the newer Intel UHD Graphics 630, which offers improved media playback and basic graphics performance.