CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8300T and the Intel Core i3-8300 are two Coffee Lake desktop processors that share the same core architecture but are positioned for different operating envelopes. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy between them, with the standard 8300 pulling ahead in every single benchmark recorded, while the 8300T offers a substantially lower thermal design point. This analysis breaks down the exact numbers from the benchmark database to see what that difference in power actually costs in performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-8300 wins all six recorded comparisons. Looking at the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the 8300 scores 545 against the 8300T’s 469, a delta of -13.9% for the T-series part. The single-core R15 result tells a similar story, with the 8300 at 76 and the 8300T at 66, a -13.2% gap. These are not marginal differences; they represent a consistent and substantial performance deficit for the low-power variant.

Moving to the newer Cinebench R20 suite, the pattern holds. In the multi-core test, the 8300 posts 2271 versus 1955 for the 8300T, again a -13.9% difference. The single-core R20 result shows the 8300 at 320 and the 8300T at 275, which is a -14.1% delta, the largest relative gap in the entire set. The Cinebench R23 results continue this trend, with the 8300 achieving 5408 in multi-core and 763 in single-core, against the 8300T’s 4656 and 657 respectively. Both of those R23 deltas sit at -13.9%.

The data reveals a remarkably consistent performance ratio across all three generations of the Cinebench test. Whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded, the 8300 maintains roughly a 13-14% lead over the 8300T in every metric. This consistency suggests that the performance difference is not workload-dependent but rather a fixed consequence of the clock speed differential. The Geekbench scores, which are only available for the 8300T, show it at 3436 multi-core and 1171 single-core, but without a corresponding 8300 result in this data, those numbers cannot be directly compared in the head-to-head table.

Architecture Differences

At the architectural level, these two processors are nearly identical. Both are built on Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture and use the same 14 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. The die size is exactly the same at 126 mm² for both chips, and neither has a boosted clock, meaning they run at their base frequency under all conditions. The core and thread counts are identical, with 4 cores and 4 threads on each part, and there is no unlocked multiplier on either, so overclocking is not an option for users of either chip.

The cache hierarchy is also a mirror image. Both processors feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is identical as well, with both supporting DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration and offering a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory, which is notable for a desktop i3 part. The integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 630 on both, and the PCIe implementation matches at Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The critical architectural difference lies in the operating parameters. The base clock of the 8300 is 3.70 GHz, while the 8300T is set to 3.20 GHz, representing a 0.50 GHz reduction. This clock difference is the sole driver of the performance gap observed in the benchmarks. The thermal design power tells the rest of the story: the 8300 is rated at 62 W, while the 8300T is rated at just 35 W. This 27 W reduction in thermal envelope is achieved entirely through the lower clock speed, as there are no other architectural changes to explain the power difference.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows that the Intel Core i3-8300 wins in every measured category. In multi-threaded workloads, the 8300’s lead is consistent at around 13.9% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This makes it the clear choice for rendering tasks, video encoding, or any application that can utilize all four cores. The single-threaded results are equally decisive, with the 8300 leading by 13.2% to 14.1% depending on the test version, making it better suited for everyday responsiveness, office applications, and lightly-threaded games.

The Intel Core i3-8300T, however, does not win any of the recorded benchmarks. Its advantage is entirely in its power characteristics, not its performance. With a TDP of 35 W compared to 62 W for the 8300, the 8300T is designed for systems where heat dissipation and energy consumption are more critical than raw throughput. This makes it suitable for compact desktop builds, small form factor PCs, or always-on systems where the lower thermal output is a significant benefit. The performance penalty is measurable, but for workloads that are not CPU-intensive, the 8300T may be perfectly adequate.

The average benchmark score for the 8300 is 1564, while the 8300T sits at 1586. This is a curious inversion, as the 8300T has a higher average score despite losing every head-to-head test. This discrepancy is explained by the fact that the 8300T has Geekbench scores included in its average, while the 8300 does not, and the different test suites weight the averages differently. The percentile ranking for both processors against all CPUs is identical at 39, indicating they occupy the same tier in the broader market.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two processors differ in only a few fields, but those differences are consequential. The base clock is the most obvious point of divergence, with the 8300 running at 3.70 GHz and the 8300T at 3.20 GHz. The TDP follows suit, with the 8300 rated at 62 W and the 8300T at 35 W. These two parameters are directly linked, as the lower clock speed enables the lower power envelope.

The release dates also differ. The 8300 was released on 2018-02-13, while the 8300T followed on 2018-04-01, roughly six weeks later. This suggests Intel introduced the standard part first and then released the low-power variant to address specific market segments. The part numbers are distinct, with the 8300 using SR3XY and the 8300T using SR3Y1, which confirms they are physically different SKUs. The launch MSRP for both is $138, making them price-identical at introduction, though the database notes both are now end-of-life.

All other specifications are identical. Both use the Intel Socket 1151, have 4 cores and 4 threads, feature no boost clock, and are built on the 14 nm process with a 126 mm² die. The cache configuration, memory support, ECC capability, PCIe lanes, integrated graphics, and market segment are all the same. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The socket compatibility means they can be used in the same motherboards, assuming the BIOS supports both.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-8300 is faster in all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5408 versus 4656 for the 8300T, a -13.9% delta. The same percentage gap appears in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: What is the performance difference in single-core tests?

A: The 8300 leads in every single-core benchmark. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows the 8300 at 76 and the 8300T at 66, a -13.2% delta. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the scores are 320 versus 275, a -14.1% delta, which is the largest gap recorded.

Q: Are the cache sizes the same on both processors?

A: Yes, both have identical cache hierarchies. Each processor has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is also identical at 126 mm².

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the 8300 and the 8300T support ECC memory. They also share the same DDR4 dual-channel memory support and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: What is the power consumption difference between the two?

A: The 8300 has a TDP of 62 W, while the 8300T has a TDP of 35 W. This 27 W difference is the primary reason for the 8300T’s lower clock speed and reduced performance.

Q: Why does the 8300T have a higher average benchmark score than the 8300?

A: The 8300T has an average benchmark score of 1586, while the 8300 has 1564. This is because the 8300T’s average includes Geekbench scores, which are not recorded for the 8300 in this dataset, skewing the overall average.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear trade-off between performance and power. The Intel Core i3-8300 is the unequivocal performance winner, leading in all six head-to-head benchmarks by a consistent margin of roughly 13-14%. Anyone building a desktop where CPU throughput matters should choose the 8300, as it delivers meaningfully higher scores in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench tests. The 62 W TDP is higher, but that is a reasonable cost for the performance gain.

The Intel Core i3-8300T is not a performance-oriented part. It loses every benchmark to the 8300, but it does so while consuming 27 W less power. For a compact desktop or an always-on system where heat and energy efficiency are priorities, the 8300T’s 35 W envelope is a significant advantage. The 8300T also has Geekbench scores recorded in the database, showing it can handle general computing tasks, but it is not the choice for demanding workloads. The identical launch MSRP of $138 for both parts makes the 8300 the obvious choice for performance buyers, while the 8300T is for those who need a low-power desktop solution and can accept the measurable performance compromise.