Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Core i5-7440HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7440HQ and Intel Core i3-8100T are both 4-core, 4-thread processors from Intel, but they target different market segments—mobile versus desktop—and are built on different architectures. Benchmark results show a remarkably close contest, with the i5-7440HQ winning 7 out of 8 head-to-head tests, yet the i3-8100T counters with a significant victory in Geekbench multicore. The data reveals a classic trade-off: the i5-7440HQ consistently edges ahead in Cinebench workloads, while the i3-8100T shows a distinct advantage in a specific multicore test, making the choice highly dependent on the target application.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Geekbench multicore score, where the Intel Core i3-8100T decisively outperforms the i5-7440HQ. The i3-8100T scores 3142, while the i5-7440HQ trails at 3043, resulting in a 3.2% delta in favor of the desktop chip. This is the single largest margin of victory in either direction across all tests, and it flips the expected hierarchy, as the i5-7440HQ wins every other comparison.

In Cinebench tests, the i5-7440HQ demonstrates consistent superiority, albeit by narrow margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-7440HQ scores 463 against the i3-8100T's 450, a 2.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern, with the i5-7440HQ at 65 versus 63, a 3.2% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore scores are 1933 for the i5-7440HQ and 1876 for the i3-8100T, a 3% difference. The R20 single-core test again shows a 3% lead for the i5-7440HQ, with scores of 272 and 264 respectively.

The trend continues in Cinebench R23, where the i5-7440HQ scores 4603 multicore and 649 single-core, while the i3-8100T scores 4467 and 630. Both results translate to a 3% delta in favor of the mobile chip. The final benchmark, Geekbench single-core, gives the i5-7440HQ its largest victory margin, with a score of 1184 versus 1104 for the i3-8100T—a substantial 7.2% lead. This indicates that in single-threaded tasks, the i5-7440HQ has a clear edge, while the i3-8100T's win in Geekbench multicore suggests an advantage in certain multi-threaded scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-7440HQ is the clear winner in single-core performance, as evidenced by its victories in all three Cinebench single-core tests (R15, R20, R23) and the Geekbench single-core test. The 7.2% lead in Geekbench single-core is particularly noteworthy, indicating a strong advantage in lightly-threaded applications such as legacy software, certain productivity tools, and games that rely on a single primary thread. Its consistent 3%+ lead across all Cinebench variants also suggests it handles rendering and simulation workloads slightly better.

The i3-8100T’s sole victory in Geekbench multicore is significant, as it shows the desktop chip can outperform the mobile part in at least one multi-threaded scenario. This could translate to better performance in applications that are optimized for the Geekbench workload pattern, such as some video transcoding tools or parallel compilation tasks. However, the i5-7440HQ still wins the Cinebench multicore tests, meaning the i3-8100T's advantage is not universal across all multi-threaded workloads. For users prioritizing Geekbench-style multicore performance, the i3-8100T is the better pick, but for everything else in the benchmark suite, the i5-7440HQ takes the crown.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs belong to different Intel microarchitectures and target different platforms. The i5-7440HQ is based on the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-H variant, and is designed for mobile devices. In contrast, the i3-8100T uses the newer Coffee Lake architecture and is a desktop processor. Both are built on the same 14 nm process node and share an identical die size of 126 mm², but their feature sets and platform requirements diverge significantly.

Cache configurations are identical, with both offering 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. However, the base clock speeds differ, with the i5-7440HQ running at 2.80 GHz and the i3-8100T at 3.10 GHz. The i5-7440HQ also features a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, whereas the i3-8100T has no listed boost clock, meaning it operates at a fixed frequency. This explains the i5-7440HQ's single-core advantage, as it can dynamically raise its clock speed.

Memory support is another key differentiator. The i5-7440HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i3-8100T supports only DDR4. The i3-8100T has a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i5-7440HQ. Additionally, the i3-8100T supports ECC memory, while the i5-7440HQ does not. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-7440HQ uses Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i3-8100T features UHD Graphics 630. Socket compatibility also diverges, with the i5-7440HQ using Intel BGA 1440 and the i3-8100T using Intel Socket 1151. Thermal design power (TDP) reflects their intended use, with the mobile i5-7440HQ rated at 45W and the desktop i3-8100T at a lower 35W.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100T has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, which is higher than the i5-7440HQ's base clock of 2.80 GHz.

Q: Does the i5-7440HQ support boost clocks?

A: Yes, the i5-7440HQ has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i3-8100T does not have a listed boost clock.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100T supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-7440HQ does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-7440HQ has a TDP of 45W, while the i3-8100T has a lower TDP of 35W.

Q: In which benchmark does the i3-8100T outperform the i5-7440HQ?

A: The i3-8100T wins only in Geekbench multicore, scoring 3142 versus 3043 for the i5-7440HQ, a 3.2% margin.

Q: Do both processors have the same cache size?

A: Yes, both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

Based strictly on benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-7440HQ is the superior processor in most scenarios. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, including all Cinebench variants and single-core Geekbench. Its 7.2% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest performance gap in the dataset, making it the clear choice for single-threaded applications. The consistent 3% margin in Cinebench tests also indicates better rendering performance. The i5-7440HQ achieves this despite a lower base clock, thanks to its boost capability.

However, the Intel Core i3-8100T should not be dismissed. Its 3.2% victory in Geekbench multicore shows it can handle certain multi-threaded workloads better, and its support for ECC memory and higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s) make it suitable for specific professional or server-like tasks. The i3-8100T also has a lower TDP of 35W, which could be advantageous in power-constrained desktop builds. Ultimately, users needing the best all-around performance, especially in single-core tasks, should choose the i5-7440HQ. Users whose workloads are dominated by Geekbench-style multicore performance or who require ECC memory support should opt for the i3-8100T.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-7440HQ | Intel Core i3-8100T |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | None |

| TDP | 45 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake-H | Coffee Lake |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2018-04-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $250 | $117 |

| Part Number | SR32R | SR3Y8 |