Intel Core i3-10305T vs Intel Core i7-8709G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the Intel Core i7-8709G across every Cinebench workload in the comparison. The i7-8709G wins all six head-to-head tests, with the Core i3-10305T trailing by margins that never exceed 1.5%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-8709G posts 679 points against 669 for the i3-10305T, a 1.5% lead. The single-core R15 test is similarly close: 95 points versus 94, a 1.1% gap. These are not decisive victories, but they are consistent in direction.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. The i7-8709G scores 2832 in multicore, while the i3-10305T scores 2791, again a 1.5% difference. In R20 single-core, the i7-8709G records 399 points and the i3-10305T records 393, a 1.5% edge. The most recent workload, Cinebench R23, shows the i7-8709G at 6743 multicore and 952 single-core, with the i3-10305T at 6647 and 938 respectively. The delta in both R23 tests is 1.4% for multicore and 1.5% for single-core.

What stands out is the uniformity of the result. The i7-8709G leads by roughly the same percentage in every test, whether the workload is heavily threaded or purely single-threaded. This suggests the advantage is not tied to a specific scaling behavior but rather to a small, consistent clock or architectural edge. The i7-8709G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost of 4.10 GHz, while the i3-10305T runs at 3.00 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. A 100 MHz difference at both base and boost aligns well with the observed 1.1% to 1.5% score gaps.

The average benchmark scores in the database tell the same story. The i7-8709G has an average benchmark score of 1950, placing it in the 44th percentile of all CPUs. The i3-10305T has an average of 1922, placing it in the 43rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the i7-8709G include the Intel Core i5-1035G7 at 1948 (0.1% behind) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE at 1954 (0.2% ahead). For the i3-10305T, the closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-1180G7 at 1930 (0.4% ahead) and the Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3 at 1925 (0.2% ahead). In both cases, the two processors sit in a crowded mid-range cluster where individual scores differ by fractions of a percent.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G wins all six recorded head-to-head tests. The i3-10305T does not win a single test, with the closest margin being 1.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest recorded gap is 1.5%, which appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R20 single-core, and R23 single-core. The smallest gap is 1.1% in R15 single-core. No test shows a difference greater than 1.5%.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread configuration?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share the same L3 cache size of 8 MB shared, and the same L1 and L2 cache structure at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power?

A: The i7-8709G has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i3-10305T has a TDP of 35 watts. This means the i3-10305T is rated for lower power consumption, though the benchmark scores show only a modest performance difference.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-8709G has an average benchmark score of 1950, and the i3-10305T has an average score of 1922. The i7-8709G sits in the 44th percentile of all CPUs, while the i3-10305T sits in the 43rd percentile.

Q: What does the percentile ranking indicate about these processors?

A: Both processors are near the middle of the database distribution. The i7-8709G at the 44th percentile and the i3-10305T at the 43rd percentile means they are essentially equivalent in overall standing, with the i7-8709G holding a slight edge in measured performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and target different market segments. The i7-8709G is built on Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake G codename, and is classified as a Mobile processor. It uses the Intel BGA 2270 socket, which is a soldered mobile package. The i3-10305T belongs to the Comet Lake architecture, with the Comet Lake-R codename, and is a Desktop processor using the Intel Socket 1200. This makes the i3-10305T a drop-in replacement for compatible desktop motherboards, while the i7-8709G is fixed to its mobile board.

Both processors are manufactured on the same 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry. They share the same core count of 4 cores and 8 threads, and the cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Neither supports ECC memory. Both support DDR4 memory. The i3-10305T explicitly lists dual-channel memory support with a 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the i7-8709G does not have a listed memory bus configuration in the database.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The i7-8709G uses the Radeon RX Vega M GH, a high-performance discrete-class GPU integrated into the package. The i3-10305T uses the UHD Graphics 630, Intel's standard integrated solution. This is a major architectural difference: the i7-8709G is designed for systems that need strong graphics performance without a separate GPU, while the i3-10305T relies on Intel's baseline graphics.

The i3-10305T lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-8709G has no PCIe information recorded. The release dates show the i7-8709G launched on January 31, 2018, and the i3-10305T launched on March 15, 2021. The i3-10305T has a listed part number (SRH3M) and a launch MSRP of $143, while the i7-8709G has no MSRP recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow verdict. The Intel Core i7-8709G outperforms the Intel Core i3-10305T in every recorded benchmark, but the margins are small enough that real-world differences would be difficult to perceive outside of tightly controlled testing. The i7-8709G wins by 1.5% in most tests, which translates to roughly 40 to 90 points in the various Cinebench workloads. For applications that are sensitive to single-thread performance, the i7-8709G's higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 4.00 GHz provides a measurable edge. For multi-threaded workloads, the identical core and thread counts mean the i7-8709G's lead comes entirely from its clock advantage and possibly its mobile-oriented power characteristics.

However, the i3-10305T has its own strengths in the data. Its 35 watt TDP is nearly half of the i7-8709G's 65 watts, making it a more power-efficient choice for desktop systems where thermal and power budgets are a priority. The i3-10305T also benefits from a newer release date by over three years, which may matter for platform availability and longevity. The i3-10305T uses the standard Socket 1200, which is a widely supported desktop platform, whereas the i7-8709G uses the mobile-only BGA 2270 socket.

The i7-8709G also carries the Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated graphics, which is a significant advantage for systems that need GPU compute or gaming capability without a discrete card. The i3-10305T's UHD Graphics 630 is a more basic solution. Given that the benchmark scores are so close, the decision between these two processors should be based on platform and graphics needs rather than CPU compute performance. The i7-8709G is the stronger processor in raw compute, but the i3-10305T offers a lower power envelope and a desktop socket.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors according to the database:

• Base Clock: i7-8709G at 3.10 GHz, i3-10305T at 3.00 GHz
• Boost Clock: i7-8709G at 4.10 GHz, i3-10305T at 4.00 GHz
• TDP: i7-8709G at 65 watts, i3-10305T at 35 watts
• Socket: i7-8709G on Intel BGA 2270, i3-10305T on Intel Socket 1200
• Architecture: i7-8709G on Kaby Lake, i3-10305T on Comet Lake
• Codename: i7-8709G as Kaby Lake G, i3-10305T as Comet Lake-R
• Generation: i7-8709G listed as Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G), i3-10305T as Core i3 (Comet Lake)
• Market Segment: i7-8709G as Mobile, i3-10305T as Desktop
• Integrated Graphics: i7-8709G with Radeon RX Vega M GH, i3-10305T with UHD Graphics 630
• Release Date: i7-8709G on January 31, 2018, i3-10305T on March 15, 2021
• Launch MSRP: i3-10305T has a launch MSRP of $143, i7-8709G has none recorded
• Part Number: i3-10305T has part number SRH3M, i7-8709G has none recorded
• Memory Bus: i3-10305T lists dual-channel, i7-8709G has no listing
• Memory Bandwidth: i3-10305T lists 42.7 GB/s, i7-8709G has no listing
• PCIe: i3-10305T lists Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only), i7-8709G has no listing

Fields that are identical include cores (4), threads (8), process node (14 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), L3 cache (8 MB shared), memory support (DDR4), ECC support (false), multiplier unlocked (false), and production status (Active).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8709G wins in every compute benchmark recorded. Its strengths are most evident in single-threaded workloads, where the higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz gives it a 1.5% edge over the i3-10305T in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests. It also wins multicore tests by the same margin, meaning it is consistently faster across the board. For users who prioritize raw CPU performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the i7-8709G is the better choice.

The i7-8709G also wins decisively on integrated graphics. The Radeon RX Vega M GH is a far more capable GPU than the UHD Graphics 630, and this is a qualitative difference that does not appear in the CPU benchmark scores but is recorded in the specifications. Any workload that relies on the integrated GPU, whether for gaming, media encoding, or GPU-accelerated compute, would favor the i7-8709G.

The Intel Core i3-10305T wins on power efficiency. Its 35 watt TDP is 30 watts lower than the i7-8709G's 65 watt TDP. In a desktop system where cooling is limited or where power consumption is a concern, the i3-10305T is the more economical choice. It also wins on platform flexibility: the Socket 1200 is a standard desktop socket, whereas the BGA 2270 on the i7-8709G is a soldered mobile package. The i3-10305T also has a newer release date, which may mean better availability of motherboards and longer platform support.

The i3-10305T also holds an advantage in memory bandwidth specification, with a listed 42.7 GB/s and dual-channel support, while the i7-8709G has no memory bandwidth data recorded. This does not appear in the benchmark scores, but it is a documented difference. For desktop users who value low power, a standard socket, and a newer platform, the i3-10305T is the better fit. For users who need the fastest CPU compute and superior integrated graphics, the i7-8709G is the stronger option.