Intel Core i3-10300 vs Intel Core i7-8709G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8709G and Intel Core i3-10300 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target entirely different platforms: one is a mobile chip with a premium integrated GPU, and the other is a desktop chip with a higher clock speed. The benchmark data reveals an extremely tight contest, with the i7-8709G taking a narrow but consistent lead across every single Cinebench test. Notably, the average benchmark score for the i7-8709G is 1950, placing it in the 44th percentile of all CPUs, while the i3-10300 averages 1934, sitting in the 43rd percentile. This near-parity in overall performance makes the choice between them less about raw compute and more about the platform and features each one brings to the table.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking aspect of the head-to-head comparison is the uniformity of the results. Across all six Cinebench tests—spanning R15, R20, and R23, and both single-core and multi-core workloads—the Intel Core i7-8709G wins decisively, though by very small margins. The largest advantage for the i7-8709G comes in the multi-core tests, where it leads by 0.9% in both Cinebench R15 (679 vs. 673) and Cinebench R20 (2832 vs. 2808). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the gap narrows slightly to 0.8%, with the i7-8709G scoring 6743 against the i3-10300’s 6687.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the margins are even thinner. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both chips score exactly 95, resulting in a 0% delta and a win for the i7-8709G by virtue of the tie. The i7-8709G then edges ahead in Cinebench R20 single-core with a score of 399 versus 396, a 0.8% advantage. The trend continues in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i7-8709G posts 952 against 944, again a 0.8% lead. While these deltas are small—never exceeding 0.9%—the consistency is notable. The i7-8709G wins all six head-to-head matchups, while the i3-10300 fails to claim a single one.

Context from the nearest rivals helps frame these scores. The i7-8709G’s average score of 1950 puts it just 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1035G7 (1948) and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 (1947). On the flip side, it trails the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE by 0.2% (1954). The i3-10300, with its 1934 average, is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-1180G7 (1930) and AMD Opteron 6348 (1930), but falls 0.3% short of the Intel Core i7-7820HQ (1940) and 0.4% short of the Intel Core i7-9850HL (1941). These rival relationships show that both chips occupy a similar performance tier, sitting within a fraction of a percent of several other mainstream and mobile processors.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results create a clear, if narrow, performance hierarchy. The Intel Core i7-8709G wins every workload tested, but the practical implications depend on the use case. For multi-threaded applications like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation, the i7-8709G’s lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (6743 vs. 6687) translates to a 0.8% advantage. That is a marginal gain, but it is consistent across R15 and R20 multi-core tests as well, suggesting the i7-8709G has a slight edge in sustained all-core workloads. The i3-10300’s higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.40 GHz do not overcome this, despite the fact that the i7-8709G runs at a lower 3.10 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost—the i7’s architecture appears to extract slightly more work per clock.

For single-threaded tasks, such as gaming or everyday desktop responsiveness, the two chips are virtually indistinguishable. The Cinebench R15 single-core tie at 95 points is the clearest evidence, and the 0.8% leads in R20 and R23 (399 vs. 396 and 952 vs. 944, respectively) are well within the margin of benchmark noise. Users upgrading from an older quad-core would feel no difference between these two in typical office work, web browsing, or legacy software. The i3-10300’s higher clock speeds might suggest an advantage in lightly threaded workloads, but the data shows the i7-8709G holds a slight edge anyway, likely due to its Kaby Lake-G architecture’s efficiency.

The real differentiator is the integrated graphics. The i7-8709G ships with a Radeon RX Vega M GH GPU, a far more powerful solution than the i3-10300’s UHD Graphics 630. While the benchmark pack does not include GPU tests, the presence of a discrete-class GPU on the i7-8709G makes it the clear choice for a compact system that needs to handle light gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks without a separate graphics card. The i3-10300, by contrast, relies on Intel’s basic integrated graphics, which is suitable for display output but not for demanding visual workloads.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i7-8709G is the superior processor in raw compute performance, winning all six benchmark comparisons. Its 0.8–0.9% lead in multi-core tests and 0.8% lead in most single-core tests, while small, is unequivocal. For users who prioritize maximum performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the i7-8709G is the pick. It also offers the substantial benefit of the Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated graphics, which is a decisive factor for compact builds where a discrete GPU is impractical.

The Intel Core i3-10300, however, is not without its merits. It is a desktop part, meaning it fits into standard Socket 1200 motherboards and offers dual-channel memory support with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, along with PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. These features make it a more expandable and upgradeable platform. Users building a traditional desktop PC with a dedicated graphics card will find the i3-10300’s slightly lower performance—less than 1% in most tests—irrelevant, while its higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz could be attractive in scenarios not captured by the benchmark suite. For those who need a standalone CPU for a DIY desktop, the i3-10300 is a sensible choice; for those who need a self-contained mobile or mini-PC solution with strong graphics, the i7-8709G has no equal in this comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G scores 6743, while the Intel Core i3-10300 scores 6687, giving the i7-8709G a 0.8% lead.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel Core i3-10300 wins?

A: No. The i7-8709G wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, including a tie in Cinebench R15 single-core where both score 95, with the winner designated as the i7-8709G.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G features a Radeon RX Vega M GH, whereas the Intel Core i3-10300 includes UHD Graphics 630.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The i7-8709G has an average benchmark score of 1950, and the i3-10300 averages 1934. The i7-8709G sits in the 44th percentile of all CPUs, while the i3-10300 is in the 43rd percentile.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The i3-10300 has a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, compared to the i7-8709G’s base of 3.10 GHz and boost of 4.10 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture families. The Intel Core i7-8709G is built on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake-G codename, and is manufactured on a 14 nm process. The Intel Core i3-10300 uses the Comet Lake architecture, also on a 14 nm process. Both are produced by Intel and feature identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither supports ECC memory, and both support DDR4 memory.

The platforms diverge significantly. The i7-8709G uses an Intel BGA 2270 socket, indicating it is soldered to the motherboard, and is classified as a mobile processor. The i3-10300 uses an Intel Socket 1200 and is a desktop part. This distinction impacts system design: the i7-8709G is intended for laptops or compact all-in-one systems, while the i3-10300 is a drop-in component for a standard desktop motherboard. The i3-10300 also specifies dual-channel memory support with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and it provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i7-8709G does not list a memory bus or PCIe configuration in its specifications.

The integrated graphics are a major architectural differentiator. The i7-8709G pairs its CPU cores with a Radeon RX Vega M GH GPU, which is a high-performance integrated solution from AMD. The i3-10300 instead uses Intel’s UHD Graphics 630, which is a more modest integrated GPU. This difference reflects the intended use of each chip: the i7-8709G is designed to deliver substantial graphics performance in a compact package, while the i3-10300 assumes a discrete GPU will be used. The i7-8709G has a TDP of 65 watts, slightly higher than the i3-10300’s 62 watts, and it was released on 2018-01-31, whereas the i3-10300 came later on 2020-04-29. Both processors are currently listed as active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.