Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Core i5-7300HQ Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a rare scenario: one processor wins every single recorded test, and both chips occupy the same performance percentile. The Intel Core i3-8100T takes all eight head-to-head benchmarks, with no recorded wins for the Intel Core i5-7300HQ. This does not mean the i5-7300HQ is a poor processor; it means the i3-8100T consistently edges it out across every workload category measured.

Looking at the use-case split, the i3-8100T wins in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. In single-core tests, the margin is consistent, ranging from 3.3% to 4.9% depending on the benchmark. In multi-core tests, the lead holds steady between 3.2% and 3.7%. The pattern is remarkably uniform, which suggests the advantage is architectural rather than workload-specific.

For users weighing desktop versus mobile platforms, the data implies the i3-8100T is the stronger choice in raw compute regardless of the application type. The i5-7300HQ, despite its mobile pedigree and higher thermal envelope, cannot overcome the i3-8100T's clock advantage in any measured scenario. The average benchmark score reinforces this: the i3-8100T sits at 1500, while the i5-7300HQ trails at 1448, a gap of roughly 3.6% in overall performance.

Both processors land at the 38th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same tier in the broader performance hierarchy. The nearest rivals for each chip tell a similar story. The i3-8100T sits within 0.8% of the Intel Core i7-8665U, while the i5-7300HQ is essentially tied with the AMD Opteron 6378 and within 0.6% of the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5. These are comparable mid-range parts, and the two chips here are effectively peers separated by a small but consistent margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations despite sharing the same 14 nm process node and identical die size of 126 mm². The i3-8100T uses Coffee Lake, while the i5-7300HQ uses Kaby Lake-H. Both have 4 cores and 4 threads, so neither benefits from hyper-threading. The cache layout is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

The fundamental difference lies in clock speeds. The i3-8100T runs at a fixed 3.10 GHz base clock with no boost clock listed, indicating a locked, constant operating frequency. The i5-7300HQ has a 2.50 GHz base clock but can boost up to 3.50 GHz. On paper, the i5-7300HQ should have a higher ceiling, yet the measured results show the i3-8100T winning every test. This suggests the i3-8100T's sustained 3.10 GHz clock outperforms the i5-7300HQ's boost behavior in real workloads, possibly due to thermal or power constraints in mobile environments.

Power consumption tells a different story. The i3-8100T is rated at 35 W TDP, while the i5-7300HQ is rated at 45 W TDP. The i3-8100T delivers better performance with 10 W less thermal headroom, which is notable for a desktop part operating in a fixed environment. The i5-7300HQ consumes more power yet falls behind in every metric.

Memory support diverges as well. The i3-8100T supports DDR4 exclusively with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-7300HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in dual-channel configuration, but the database lists no memory bandwidth figure for it. The i3-8100T also supports ECC memory, while the i5-7300HQ does not, a meaningful distinction for reliability-sensitive workloads.

Integrated graphics differ in branding: the i3-8100T uses UHD Graphics 630, while the i5-7300HQ uses Intel HD Graphics 630. Both are 14 nm parts from Intel, but the naming reflects the architectural generation. The socket and market segment are the most obvious physical differences: the i3-8100T fits Intel Socket 1151 for desktop builds, while the i5-7300HQ is soldered to BGA 1440 for mobile systems.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Geekbench single-core test shows the widest margin between the two processors. The i3-8100T scores 1104 against 1052 for the i5-7300HQ, a delta of 4.9%. This is the largest percentage difference in any recorded benchmark and indicates the i3-8100T has a clear advantage in lightly threaded applications where clock speed and architecture efficiency dominate.

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the narrowest margin. The i3-8100T scores 450, while the i5-7300HQ scores 434, a delta of 3.7%. The i3-8100T also wins the single-core version of this test, scoring 63 to 61, a 3.3% delta. These older Cinebench versions show slightly smaller gaps than the newer R20 and R23 releases.

In Cinebench R20, the i3-8100T scores 1876 multicore and 264 single-core, while the i5-7300HQ scores 1812 and 255 respectively. Both deltas sit at 3.5%. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: 4467 versus 4316 multicore and 630 versus 609 single-core, again with a 3.5% multicore delta and 3.4% single-core delta.

Geekbench multicore closes the list with the i3-8100T at 3142 and the i5-7300HQ at 3044, a 3.2% delta. Across all eight benchmarks, the i3-8100T's advantage ranges from 3.2% to 4.9%, with no test showing a reversal. The consistency is striking: whether the workload is rendering, general compute, or single-threaded response, the i3-8100T maintains a lead that never dips below 3%.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i3-8100T outperforms the Intel Core i5-7300HQ in every recorded benchmark. The i3-8100T wins 8 of 8 head-to-head tests, with margins between 3.2% and 4.9%. It achieves this with a 35 W TDP compared to the i5-7300HQ's 45 W TDP, making it both faster and more power-efficient in the measured workloads.

For desktop builders, the i3-8100T is the obvious choice. It offers better performance, supports DDR4 memory with ECC capability, and comes with a 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth figure that the i5-7300HQ lacks. The i3-8100T also holds a 38th percentile ranking tied with the i5-7300HQ, but its average benchmark score of 1500 versus 1448 confirms its superiority in aggregate.

For mobile users, the i5-7300HQ still has a purpose. It is a mobile processor with a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, which may allow it to reach higher peak frequencies in short bursts when thermal conditions permit. However, the benchmark data shows that in sustained workloads, the i3-8100T's fixed 3.10 GHz clock delivers better results. The i5-7300HQ's 45 W TDP is higher, suggesting it may be intended for larger laptops with better cooling, but the measured performance does not justify the additional power draw.

The release timeline favors the i3-8100T as well. It launched in April 2018, over a year after the i5-7300HQ's January 2017 debut. The newer architecture and later release date appear to yield tangible benefits. Both processors are now end-of-life, so the choice is moot for new purchases, but the data clarifies which part was superior during their active lifetimes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100T has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-7300HQ has a base clock of 2.50 GHz.

Q: Does the i5-7300HQ ever outperform the i3-8100T in any benchmark?

A: No. The i3-8100T wins all 8 head-to-head benchmarks, with no recorded wins for the i5-7300HQ. The i5-7300HQ trails in every Cinebench and Geekbench test.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100T supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-7300HQ does not list ECC support.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The i3-8100T has a 35 W TDP, while the i5-7300HQ has a 45 W TDP. The i3-8100T delivers higher benchmark scores while consuming less power.

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

A: Yes, both use a 14 nm process node from Intel, and both have a die size of 126 mm².

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any test?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the i3-8100T scores 1104 versus 1052 for the i5-7300HQ, a 4.9% difference.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-8100T | Intel Core i5-7300HQ |

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

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None listed | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Kaby Lake-H |

| Generation | Core i3 (Coffee Lake) | Core i5 (Kaby Lake-H) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | April 2018 | January 2017 |

| Launch MSRP | $117 | $250 |

| Part Number | SR3Y8 | SR32S |

| Average Benchmark Score | 1500 | 1448 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 38 | 38 |