Intel Core i3-7300T vs Intel Core i7-8665UE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-8665UE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-7300T has 2 cores and 4 threads. This means the i7-8665UE has double the core count and thread count of the i3-7300T.

Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-8665UE scores 4124 versus 3519 for the i3-7300T, a 14.7% advantage for the i7. The same 14.7% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1732 vs 1477) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (415 vs 354).

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i7-8665UE leads in single-core tests as well. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 582 versus 496 for the i3-7300T, a 14.8% gap. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7 scores 244 versus 208 for the i3, also a 14.8% difference.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The i3-7300T has a 35W TDP, while the i7-8665UE has a 15W TDP. The i7-8665UE delivers higher performance while consuming less than half the thermal design power.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i3-7300T has an average benchmark score of 1211, while the i7-8665UE has an average score of 1193. Despite losing every head-to-head benchmark, the i3-7300T edges out the i7 in the aggregate average score.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The i3-7300T is a Desktop processor, while the i7-8665UE is a Mobile processor. The i7-8665UE uses an Intel BGA 1528 socket, whereas the i3-7300T uses Intel Socket 1151.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-7300T and Intel Core i7-8665UE come from different architectural generations. The i3-7300T is built on Kaby Lake, while the i7-8665UE uses Whiskey Lake (with the codename Whiskey Lake-U). Both processors are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they target completely different platforms and use cases.

The core configuration is the most striking architectural difference. The i3-7300T offers 2 cores and 4 threads, a dual-core design with Hyper-Threading. The i7-8665UE doubles this to 4 cores and 8 threads, providing twice the parallel processing capability. This core advantage directly manifests in the multi-threaded benchmark results.

Cache hierarchies also differ substantially. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is 4 MB on the i3-7300T versus 8 MB on the i7-8665UE. The i7-8665UE's double-sized L3 cache gives it more headroom for data reuse across cores.

Clock speeds tell a more complex story. The i3-7300T has a base clock of 3.50 GHz with no boost clock listed in the database. The i7-8665UE has a much lower base clock of 1700.00 MHz, but it can boost to 4.40 GHz. This wide boost range allows the i7-8665UE to scale aggressively under load while maintaining low power draw at idle.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-7300T pairs with Intel HD 630, while the i7-8665UE uses UHD Graphics 620. Memory support also varies: the i3-7300T supports DDR4 exclusively, whereas the i7-8665UE supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical 38.4 GB/s bandwidth figures.

The production status of the two chips reflects their different lifecycles. The i3-7300T remains Active, while the i7-8665UE is marked as End-of-life. The i3-7300T was released in January 2017, and the i7-8665UE followed in September 2018.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-8665UE across all five recorded tests. The i7-8665UE wins every Cinebench comparison, with no wins recorded for the i3-7300T.

In multi-core tests, the i7-8665UE consistently outperforms the i3-7300T by 14.7%. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 415 for the i7 versus 354 for the i3. Cinebench R20 multi-core follows the same pattern: 1732 versus 1477. Cinebench R23 multi-core widens the absolute gap further, with 4124 versus 3519, though the percentage delta remains identical at 14.7%.

Single-core results are marginally more lopsided in percentage terms. Cinebench R20 single-core shows the i7-8665UE at 244 versus the i3-7300T at 208, a 14.8% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core repeats this exact delta: 582 versus 496 for the same 14.8% lead.

The consistency of these deltas across both single-core and multi-core workloads suggests the i7-8665UE's advantage comes from a combination of higher boost clocks and more efficient architecture rather than just raw core count. The i7-8665UE's 4.40 GHz boost clock gives it a clear edge in latency-sensitive single-threaded tasks, while its 4 cores allow it to pull further ahead when all threads are active.

Notably, the i3-7300T's average benchmark score of 1211 actually exceeds the i7-8665UE's 1193, despite losing every head-to-head test. This discrepancy reflects the different benchmark sets included in each processor's average score calculation. The i3-7300T's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5645 (matching at 1211), the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 (0.1% behind), and the Intel Core i3-8121U and Intel Xeon D-1520 (both 0.2% ahead).

The i7-8665UE's nearest rivals show a similar clustering: the Intel Core i3-4170 and AMD Athlon PRO 300U both match at 1193, the AMD Opteron 3365 sits 0.1% ahead, and the AMD Opteron 6234 trails by 0.2%. In percentile terms, the i3-7300T ranks at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-8665UE sits just below at the 33rd percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-7300T | Intel Core i7-8665UE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 1700.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | Not listed | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Whiskey Lake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake | Whiskey Lake-U |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 630 | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | January 2017 | September 2018 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $409 |

| Part Number | SR35M | SRF9W |

The two processors share several specifications: both use the 14 nm process node, both have 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core, both use dual-channel memory buses with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, neither supports ECC memory, both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and both have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8665UE is the clear performance winner based on the recorded data. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks by margins of 14.7% to 14.8%, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads. The i7-8665UE accomplishes this while operating at a 15W TDP, less than half the 35W TDP of the i3-7300T. For mobile or power-constrained applications, the i7-8665UE is the superior choice on every measured performance metric.

The i3-7300T, however, retains relevance in its own context. It is an Active desktop processor with a 3.50 GHz base clock, which gives it strong fixed-frequency performance without relying on boost behavior. Its higher average benchmark score of 1211 versus 1193 for the i7-8665UE indicates that the i3-7300T holds its own in the broader benchmark database, even if it loses the direct comparisons. Desktop users who prefer a socketed platform with the Intel Socket 1151 may find the i3-7300T more suitable for their build requirements.

The i7-8665UE's end-of-life status is a consideration, but the data shows it remains competitive. Its 8 MB L3 cache, 4 cores, and 8 threads give it a structural advantage that persists across all Cinebench versions tested. For workloads that scale with cores and cache, the i7-8665UE is the stronger option.

The choice between these two processors depends on platform requirements. Mobile or compact systems that need maximum performance per watt should pick the i7-8665UE. Desktop systems that prioritize a socketed upgrade path and active production support should consider the i3-7300T. Performance buyers, however, should note that the i7-8665UE's 14.7% to 14.8% lead in every head-to-head benchmark makes it the more capable processor despite its lower TDP.