You think an i9 always crushes an i3? That’s what everyone thinks… but it’s not that simple! Sometimes, the little i3 can teach its big brother a real lesson. How’s that possible? Hang on, I’ll explain it all to you.
An i3 more powerful than an i9? Here are the scenarios where this is true
Intel is constantly evolving its processors, and each new generation brings significant improvements in terms of performance and energy efficiency. For example, a 13įµ generation i3 like the i3-13100 benefits from the latest technological advances with optimized core speeds and improved thread management.
On the other hand, a 7įµ generation i9 like the i9-7900X, although a top-of-the-range processor for its time, may seem dated by today’s standards. In this context, a recent i3 can outperform an older i9 in certain tasks, simply thanks to architectural improvements.
Generation counts for more than processor range
Imagine a 2017 Olympic champion lining up in 2023 on a track where every detail has been optimized: lighter shoes, grippier surfaces, improved nutrition. Even if he remains talented, this champion must face a younger athlete who benefits from all these evolutions. This is exactly what happens between an i9-7900X and an i3-13100.
The i9-7900X was a revolution in its day. With its 10 cores and 20 threads, it was designed to dominate multitasking, video rendering and complex calculations. But that was 6 years ago. Since then, Intel has improved every detail: energy efficiency, speed per core, and above all the management of light tasks that don’t require an army of cores.
This is where the i3-13100, with its 4 cores and 8 threads, comes into its own, or even better in certain situations.
Comparison: Intel Core i3-13100 vs Intel Core i9-7900X
Single-core performance is the i3-13100’s forte. Why? Because the majority of applications and games take full advantage of just one or two cores. In these cases, the modern Raptor Lake architecture, combined with a higher clock frequency, enables the i3 to perform even better.
Let’s take a concrete example: opening a browser with a dozen tabs while listening to music on YouTube. An i3-13100 handles this situation with exemplary responsiveness. The i9-7900X, although equipped with more cores, may seem slightly slower, as its raw power is under-utilized.
| Features / Tests | Intel Core i9-7900X | Intel Core i3-13100 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated price | ~€523 | ~€93 | i3 much cheaper |
| Cores / Threads | 10 Cores / 20 Threads | 4 Cores / 8 Threads | i9 more versatile for heavy multitasking |
| Release date | Q2 2017 | Q1 2023 | Notable advances on the 13ᵉ generation |
| Architecture | Skylake-X (7ᵉ gen) | Raptor Lake (13ᵉ gen) | Recent architectural optimizations for i3 |
| Effective Speed (UserBenchmark) | 81.9% | 96% | +17% for the i3 |
| Gaming (UB Score) | 82% (Aircraft carrier) | 96% (Nuclear submarine) | i3 favored for single-core use (gaming) |
| Desktop (Score UB) | 83% (Aircraft carrier) | 102% (UFO) | i3 faster for office tasks |
| Workstation (UB Score) | 89% (Aircraft carrier) | 82% (Aircraft carrier) | i9 best professional multitasking performance |
| Average Memory Latency | 76.1 Pts | 83.2 Pts | ~+9% for i3 |
| 1-Core Speed | 123 Pts | 179 Pts | ~+46% for the i3 |
| 2-Core Speed | 243 Pts | 335 Pts | ~+38% for the i3 |
| 4-Core Speed | 470 Pts | 589 Pts | ~+25% for the i3 |
| 8-Core Speed | 898 Pts | 828 Pts | ~+8% for the i9 (higher number of cores) |
Rated at 140 TDP, the i9-7900X needs serious cooling to maintain its performance. This can be problematic if the cooling system isn’t up to scratch. Conversely, the i3-13100, with its 60 W TDP, remains cool and stable even in compact or poorly ventilated environments.
Be careful what you buy, always check before you buy.
Don’t let marketing fool you. Just because a processor is labelled i9 doesn’t mean it’s systematically superior to an i3. Always ask yourself this question: What is the processor generation?
