Intel Core i3-7300T vs Intel Core i3-8109U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8109U and Intel Core i3-7300T are both dual-core, four-thread Kaby Lake parts, but they target entirely different platforms. The 8109U is a mobile chip on Intel BGA 1356 with a 28 W TDP, while the 7300T is a desktop chip on Socket 1151 with a 35 W TDP. Benchmark results show the 8109U edges out the 7300T in every head-to-head test, though the margins are consistently slim, ranging from 0.7% to 1%. Both processors sit at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores (1235 for the 8109U, 1211 for the 7300T) place them in the same performance class, with nearest rivals like the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 and Intel Xeon E5645 confirming their mid-range standing.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-8109U wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i3-7300T. This includes both multi-core and single-core tests across three different Cinebench versions. The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the 8109U scores 210 versus 208, a 1% advantage. The other wins are nearly as tight: Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 357 to 354 result (0.8%), Cinebench R23 single-core shows 500 to 496 (0.8%), Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1488 to 1477 (0.7%), and Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 3544 to 3519 (0.7%).

That said, the practical use-case split is not about raw performance—it is about platform. The 8109U is a mobile processor designed for laptops and compact systems, with its 28 W TDP and BGA 1356 socket indicating soldered, power-efficient deployment. The 7300T is a desktop part with a 35 W TDP, a replaceable Socket 1151, and a PCIe Gen 3, 16-lane interface (CPU only), making it suitable for standard desktop motherboards. If you need a drop-in desktop CPU, the 7300T is the only option here. If you are building or upgrading a mobile system, the 8109U is the relevant choice, and it also happens to be the faster chip in every measured workload.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process and share the same Kaby Lake architecture, with the 8109U using the Kaby Lake-R codename and the 7300T using the base Kaby Lake codename. They have identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Both support DDR4 memory, and neither supports ECC. Both have locked multipliers, so no overclocking is possible on either.

The key architectural differences are in clock speed, TDP, socket, and integrated graphics. The 7300T has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz, but it has no boost clock listed, meaning it runs at a fixed frequency. The 8109U has a lower base clock of 3.00 GHz but boosts up to 3.60 GHz, which explains how it achieves slightly better single-core scores despite the lower base. The 8109U’s integrated graphics are Iris Pro Plus, a more capable GPU solution compared to the 7300T’s Intel HD 630. The 8109U also has a listed die size of 123 mm², while the 7300T’s die size is not provided. The 7300T includes a memory bandwidth figure of 38.4 GB/s and dual-channel memory support, whereas the 8109U’s memory bus and bandwidth are not specified in the data. The 7300T also has a documented part number (SR35M) and a PCIe Gen 3, 16-lane (CPU only) configuration, while the 8109U’s PCIe details are absent.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data, the Intel Core i3-8109U is the faster processor in every measured category. Its Cinebench scores are consistently ahead, with the single-core advantage (1% in R20, 0.8% in R23) and multi-core advantage (0.8% in R15, 0.7% in R20 and R23) all favoring the mobile chip. If raw performance is the sole criterion, the 8109U wins outright.

However, the choice is rarely that simple. The 7300T is a desktop processor with a user-replaceable Socket 1151, a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz, and a 35 W TDP. It offers a documented memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s and dual-channel support, which are relevant for desktop builds where memory throughput matters. The 8109U is a mobile-only part with BGA 1356, meaning it is not something you can install into an existing desktop motherboard. Its 28 W TDP and Iris Pro Plus graphics make it a strong candidate for thin-and-light laptops or all-in-one systems where power efficiency and integrated GPU capability are priorities.

Pick the 8109U if you are working with a mobile platform and want the best performance in this comparison. Pick the 7300T if you need a desktop CPU with a standard socket, a fixed high base clock, and documented dual-channel memory support, accepting that it trails the 8109U by less than 1% in all Cinebench tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-8109U has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Intel Core i3-7300T has no boost clock listed; its base clock is 3.50 GHz.

Q: Are these processors the same architecture?

A: Yes, both use Intel’s Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process. The 8109U uses the Kaby Lake-R codename, while the 7300T uses the Kaby Lake codename.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the Intel Core i3-8109U nor the Intel Core i3-7300T supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in their integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-8109U has Iris Pro Plus integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i3-7300T has Intel HD 630.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T has a higher TDP at 35 W, compared to the Intel Core i3-8109U’s 28 W.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i3-8109U wins with a score of 3544, versus 3519 for the Intel Core i3-7300T, a 0.7% difference.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent, though narrow, victory for the Intel Core i3-8109U across all five Cinebench tests. The largest gap is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the 8109U scores 210 against the 7300T’s 208, a 1% lead. This is followed by Cinebench R15 multi-core (357 vs. 354, 0.8%) and Cinebench R23 single-core (500 vs. 496, 0.8%). The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows 1488 vs. 1477 (0.7%), and Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 3544 vs. 3519 (0.7%).

The pattern is clear: the 8109U’s boost clock of 3.60 GHz gives it a slight edge in single-threaded workloads, while its multi-core performance benefits from sustained boost behavior. The 7300T’s fixed 3.50 GHz clock keeps it close, but it never overtakes. For context, the 8109U’s average benchmark score is 1235, which places it exactly level with the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 (deltaPct 0) and just ahead of the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 (0.2% delta). The 7300T’s average score is 1211, matching the Intel Xeon E5645 (deltaPct 0) and trailing the Intel Core i3-8121U by 0.2%. These nearest-rival comparisons reinforce that both CPUs are in the same performance tier, with the 8109U holding a small but real advantage.

In absolute terms, the differences are under 10 points in most tests, which translates to sub-1% performance deltas. This means that in real-world applications, users would be hard-pressed to notice the difference without a benchmark tool. However, the 8109U’s wins are consistent, not flukes, and its single-core advantage is particularly notable given the 7300T’s higher base clock. The 8109U also has a slight edge in multi-core tests, suggesting its boost clock is sustained across all cores.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications, starting with the socket: the 8109U uses Intel BGA 1356 (mobile), while the 7300T uses Intel Socket 1151 (desktop). Base clocks differ, with the 7300T at 3.50 GHz and the 8109U at 3.00 GHz, but the 8109U adds a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which the 7300T lacks. TDP also differs: 28 W for the 8109U versus 35 W for the 7300T.

Memory specifications are split: the 7300T lists dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the 8109U does not have these fields populated. The 7300T also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the 8109U has no PCIe data. Integrated graphics differ (Iris Pro Plus vs. Intel HD 630). The 8109U has a listed die size of 123 mm², while the 7300T does not. The 7300T has a part number (SR35M), and the 8109U does not. Release dates also differ: the 8109U launched on 2018-04-04, while the 7300T launched on 2017-01-02. Both are marked as Active in production status, and both have locked multipliers.