Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Core i3-9300 Comparison

Intel Core i3-9300 vs Intel Core i3-8100T: both are quad-core Coffee Lake desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1151 platform, but the recorded benchmark data shows a consistent and significant performance gap in favor of the i3-9300 across every tested workload. The i3-9300 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with each victory falling between 20.2% and 20.6% ahead of the i3-8100T. This is not a marginal difference; the data indicates a clear tier separation driven by higher clock speeds and a larger cache allocation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-9300 scores 541 against the i3-8100T’s 450, a 20.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows 76 versus 63, a 20.6% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 2257 for the i3-9300 and 1876 for the i3-8100T, again a 20.3% margin, while the single-core test yields 318 versus 264, a 20.5% edge. The newest Cinebench R23 test mirrors this pattern: multicore scores are 5374 versus 4467 (20.3% ahead), and single-core scores are 758 versus 630 (20.3% ahead). Every single benchmark, regardless of the workload type or the Cinebench version, lands within a narrow band of roughly 20% to 21% difference.

This consistency is meaningful. A 20% gap across both single-core and multicore tests suggests the performance difference is not workload-specific but stems from fundamental operating characteristics like base clock speed and cache size. The i3-9300’s base clock is 3.70 GHz, while the i3-8100T runs at 3.10 GHz. Moreover, the i3-9300 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, whereas the i3-8100T has no recorded boost clock, meaning it likely operates at its fixed 3.10 GHz under all conditions. The i3-9300 also carries 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 6 MB on the i3-8100T. These two factors, higher sustained frequency and 2 MB more cache, explain the near-uniform 20% spread.

In terms of aggregate performance, the i3-9300 records an average benchmark score of 1554, placing it in the 39th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (average score 1557, a 0.2% difference) and the AMD FX-8350 (also 1557, 0.2% difference), meaning the i3-9300 performs essentially on par with those older or enterprise-oriented parts. The i3-8100T, by contrast, posts an average score of 1500, sitting at the 38th percentile, with closest competitors like the Intel Core i7-3770S (1498, 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i5-4590S (1493, 0.5% difference). The 54-point gap in average scores between the two processors (1554 versus 1500) aligns with the observed head-to-head margins.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Coffee Lake architecture and are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, with the same 126 mm² die size. Both are manufactured by Intel and both use the Intel Socket 1151. The core and thread counts are identical at 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning neither processor supports simultaneous multithreading. Both have the same per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and per-core L2 cache of 256 KB. The memory controller is also identical: DDR4 support, dual-channel bus, and 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth. Both support ECC memory and both expose PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either chip.

The differences are concentrated in a few areas. The i3-9300 belongs to the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, while the i3-8100T is from the original Coffee Lake generation. The base clock differs substantially: 3.70 GHz on the i3-9300 versus 3.10 GHz on the i3-8100T. The i3-9300 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz; the i3-8100T has no boost clock listed, indicating a fixed frequency operation. Thermal design power (TDP) is another divergence: the i3-9300 is rated at 62 watts, while the i3-8100T is a low-power variant at 35 watts. This 27-watt difference directly explains the lower clocks on the i3-8100T; it is designed for thermally constrained environments. The L3 cache also differs: 8 MB shared on the i3-9300 versus 6 MB shared on the i3-8100T.

The integrated graphics are nominally similar, both UHD 630 class, though the i3-8100T lists it as UHD Graphics 630 and the i3-9300 as UHD 630. The part numbers differ (SRCZU for the i3-9300, SR3Y8 for the i3-8100T). Release dates are about a year apart: the i3-9300 launched in April 2019, the i3-8100T in April 2018. Both are end-of-life products. The i3-9300 carries a launch MSRP of $143, while the i3-8100T has a launch MSRP of $117. The production status and market segment (Desktop) are identical.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-9300 runs at 3.70 GHz base, whereas the Intel Core i3-8100T runs at 3.10 GHz base.

Q: Does the i3-8100T have a boost clock?

A: No, the database records no boost clock for the i3-8100T. The i3-9300, in contrast, has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i3-9300 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-8100T has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i3-9300 has a TDP of 62 watts, and the i3-8100T has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: In Cinebench R23 multicore, what is the score difference?

A: The i3-9300 scores 5374, and the i3-8100T scores 4467, giving the i3-9300 a 20.3% advantage.

Q: Are both processors built on the same process node?

A: Yes, both use Intel’s 14 nm process and have the same 126 mm² die size.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors, based solely on recorded data:

• Base Clock: 3.70 GHz (i3-9300) versus 3.10 GHz (i3-8100T)
• Boost Clock: 4.30 GHz (i3-9300) versus none recorded (i3-8100T)
• TDP: 62 watts (i3-9300) versus 35 watts (i3-8100T)
• L3 Cache: 8 MB shared (i3-9300) versus 6 MB shared (i3-8100T)
• Generation: Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) for the i3-9300 versus Core i3 (Coffee Lake) for the i3-8100T
• Integrated Graphics: Listed as UHD 630 on the i3-9300 versus UHD Graphics 630 on the i3-8100T
• Part Number: SRCZU (i3-9300) versus SR3Y8 (i3-8100T)
• Release Date: 2019-04-22 (i3-9300) versus 2018-04-01 (i3-8100T)
• Launch MSRP: $143 (i3-9300) versus $117 (i3-8100T)

All other specifications are identical: 4 cores, 4 threads, Intel Socket 1151, Coffee Lake architecture, 14 nm process, 126 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, DDR4 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, Desktop market segment, end-of-life production status, and locked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the Intel Core i3-9300 is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. It leads by 20.2% to 20.6% across six Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads. The i3-9300 achieves this through a 0.60 GHz higher base clock, a 4.30 GHz boost capability that the i3-8100T lacks entirely, and 2 MB more L3 cache. The average benchmark score of 1554 versus 1500, and the 39th versus 38th percentile placement, confirms that the i3-9300 sits one step higher in the performance hierarchy.

However, the i3-8100T is not without purpose. Its 35-watt TDP, compared to 62 watts for the i3-9300, makes it suitable for systems where heat dissipation and power draw are primary constraints. The i3-8100T’s lower clocks are a direct trade-off for this efficiency. In a desktop where maximum performance is required, the i3-9300 is the clear choice. In a compact or low-power build where the 27-watt TDP difference matters more than the 20% performance gap, the i3-8100T holds a distinct advantage. Neither processor supports overclocking, so users cannot close the gap through manual tuning.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-9300 wins in all performance-based scenarios. Any workload that benefits from higher clock speeds, such as single-threaded applications, general desktop responsiveness, or lightly threaded games, will favor the i3-9300 due to its 4.30 GHz boost clock. Multi-threaded rendering tasks, as measured by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, also favor the i3-9300, with a consistent 20.3% lead. The larger 8 MB L3 cache may also help in cache-sensitive workloads, providing additional headroom over the i3-8100T’s 6 MB.

The Intel Core i3-8100T wins in power-constrained and thermally limited environments. Its 35-watt TDP is substantially lower than the i3-9300’s 62 watts, making it a better fit for small-form-factor PCs, silent builds, or always-on systems where reduced heat output is critical. The i3-8100T still delivers competent quad-core performance, as shown by its 4467 score in Cinebench R23 multicore, but it sacrifices roughly 20% of that performance to achieve its efficiency. For users who prioritize low power draw over raw speed, the i3-8100T is the appropriate selection. For everyone else, the i3-9300’s benchmark dominance makes it the superior processor.