Cinebench
Cinebench
It's unlikely. Most people underestimate the CPU requirements for gaming. The i3-9100F delivers similar performance to a Ryzen 7 2700X when paired with an overclocked 2080 Ti. Their performance gap is around 1-2% for games, and even smaller with lower-end GPUs. The difference becomes negligible when boosting resolution or graphics settings. In nearly all gaming scenarios, the 1660 GPU will be the limiting factor before the i3-9100F. If you use an overclocked 2080 Ti at 1440p, switching to an i9-9900K or Ryzen 9 3900X only gives about a 10% boost. CPU plays a minimal role in gaming. Raising the resolution from 1440p to 4K shows just a ~2% variation between the i3 and i9 models.
Absolutely, I usually enjoy playing open-world titles. Upgrading from an i5 4690 to an i9 9900k has noticeably boosted performance. The changes aren’t just about frame rates—they’re about reducing stutters and significantly speeding up fast travel times.
Average FPS only gives part of the picture, just like "average wage" is significantly higher than the everyday pay. What matters more is consistent frame rate and timing. Also, we're on the verge of a new console lineup that will boost CPU usage far beyond current levels.
The variation in performance exceeds typical frame rates, though the gap remains modest. Here are some reference points if you need proof. Unfortunately, I didn’t locate i3-9100F data, but the 8350K performs similarly. Metro Exodus 99th percentile: i9-9990K – 114.7 vs 8350K – 83.9 (27% slower). Metro Exodus – 99th percentile: i9-9990K – 81.2 vs 8350K – 92.5 (14% faster). DOTA 2 99th percentile: i9-9990K – 144.2 vs 8350K – 112.0 (22% slower). Keep in mind these results are based on a GTX 2080 at 1080p. The disparities shrink at higher resolutions. Most Anandtech tests align, except for Civ 6 which is extremely CPU-intensive. It’s important to note their scores come from a top-tier GPU (1080 Ti), making them more capable than the 1660 mentioned.
My number is 7659, but don't worry about them. Focus on how it performs on your computer—does it run smoothly and clearly? If you're using it for new AAA titles, it probably isn't. However, for older games ten years or more, it's acceptable. Typing is fine. Streaming isn't recommended. If you're satisfied with its performance, then it's okay. But don't expect to set benchmarks or records. Cinebench works well for establishing a baseline for overclocking and checking if your clock adjustments improve it.