Intel Core i3-8300 vs Intel Core i7-10610U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for these two processors is unusually one-sided. Across all six Cinebench tests recorded in the database, the Intel Core i7-10610U wins outright. There is no test where the Intel Core i3-8300 manages to pull ahead. The margins are consistent but modest, all falling in the 2.9% to 3.9% range.

The largest gap appears in the Cinebench R15 single-core test. Here, the i7-10610U scores 79 points against 76 points for the i3-8300, a 3.9% advantage. This is a meaningful result because single-core performance often dictates responsiveness in everyday applications. The i7's boost capability clearly plays a role, as its base clock is far lower but its boost clock reaches higher peaks.

Multi-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-10610U records 561 points versus 545 points for the i3-8300, a 2.9% lead. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows 2338 against 2271, a 3% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows with 5569 versus 5408, again a 3% gap. The consistency of these margins across different Cinebench versions suggests a stable performance relationship rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

Single-core scores in the newer tests mirror the older ones. Cinebench R20 single-core gives the i7-10610U 330 points and the i3-8300 320 points, a 3.1% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 786 versus 763, a 3% difference. The fact that every head-to-head test lands within roughly a single percentage point of the 3% mark indicates that the i7-10610U holds a systematic, if narrow, performance advantage across the board.

Looking at the broader database context, the i7-10610U has an average benchmark score of 1611, placing it in the 39th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-970 at 1613 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 at 1609 (0.1% behind), and the Intel Core i3-9100E at 1605 (0.4% behind). The i3-8300 averages 1564, also in the 39th percentile, with nearest rivals like the Intel Core i5-6600T at 1563 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X at 1562 (0.1% ahead), and the AMD Opteron 6276 at 1560 (0.3% ahead). Both processors sit in the same performance tier relative to the entire database, but the i7-10610U sits at the upper boundary of that tier while the i3-8300 sits at the lower boundary.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments. The i7-10610U is built on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-U variant, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen family. It is a mobile processor, designed for laptops and compact systems, with a TDP of 25 watts. The i3-8300 uses the Coffee Lake architecture and belongs to the Core i3 generation. It is a desktop processor with a TDP of 62 watts, more than double the mobile chip.

Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node and both are produced by Intel's own foundry. The die size is recorded for the i3-8300 at 126 mm², while no die size is listed for the i7-10610U. Both chips have four physical cores, but the threading situation differs. The i7-10610U supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i3-8300 has 4 threads with no simultaneous multithreading. This is a key architectural split: the mobile chip does more work per core pair, yet the desktop chip compensates with a much higher base clock.

Base clock frequencies are dramatically different. The i7-10610U runs at 1800 MHz at base, while the i3-8300 runs at 3700 MHz. However, the i7-10610U has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while no boost clock is recorded for the i3-8300. This explains the benchmark parity: the i7-10610U idles at low frequency but ramps aggressively under load, while the i3-8300 runs near its maximum at all times.

Cache layouts are identical in structure. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory controllers differ in supported types. The i7-10610U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i3-8300 supports DDR4 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i3-8300 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-10610U has no bandwidth figure listed. ECC memory support is another divergence: the i3-8300 supports ECC, while the i7-10610U does not.

PCI Express support is Gen 3 on both, but the i3-8300 specifies 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-10610U simply lists "Gen 3" without a lane count. Integrated graphics differ in naming: the i7-10610U carries UHD Graphics, while the i3-8300 carries UHD Graphics 630. The i7-10610U uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the i3-8300 uses Intel Socket 1151. The i3-8300 has a recorded part number of SR3XY. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-10610U wins in every recorded benchmark category, but the nature of its wins matters. Its largest edge is in single-core Cinebench R15 at 3.9%, followed by Cinebench R20 single-core at 3.1%. This suggests the mobile chip is slightly better suited for lightly threaded tasks that rely on burst performance. The aggressive 4.90 GHz boost clock likely drives this advantage.

The multi-core tests show a tighter 2.9% to 3% gap. Despite having twice the thread count of the i3-8300, the i7-10610U only manages a small lead. The i3-8300's high base clock keeps it competitive in sustained all-core workloads, counteracting the i7's threading advantage. In a purely threaded scenario, one might expect the 8-thread chip to win by a larger margin; the data shows it does not.

For desktop users who prioritize consistent performance without thermal constraints, the i3-8300 is the more stable choice. Its 62 watt TDP and 3700 MHz base clock mean it delivers near-peak performance continuously. For mobile users or those in power-constrained environments, the i7-10610U offers comparable performance with a fraction of the power draw. The 25 watt TDP is a significant differentiator, as it allows the i7-10610U to fit into thin-and-light designs that the i3-8300 cannot.

The i3-8300 holds advantages in areas outside raw Cinebench scores. It supports ECC memory, which matters for reliability-sensitive workloads. It has a larger recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. It uses a standard desktop socket, making it easier to service or upgrade. The i7-10610U, being BGA-soldered, is effectively permanent in its host system.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the Intel Core i7-10610U as the faster processor. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins from 2.9% to 3.9%. Its average benchmark score of 1611 exceeds the i3-8300's 1564 by roughly 3%. Both processors sit in the 39th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a performance outlier, but the i7-10610U is consistently ahead.

The choice between them depends on the use case. For a laptop or compact system where power consumption and heat output matter, the i7-10610U is the clear pick. Its 25 watt TDP, combined with 8 threads and a 4.90 GHz boost clock, delivers strong performance in a mobile envelope. The i3-8300 cannot match this efficiency; its 62 watt TDP is designed for desktop power delivery.

For a desktop build where ECC memory support is required, the i3-8300 is the only option of the two. Its 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth and Socket 1151 compatibility make it a conventional desktop part. The recorded launch MSRP for the i3-8300 is $138, though pricing considerations are separate from performance analysis.

Users who need maximum single-core burst performance should favor the i7-10610U. Users who need a stable, high-base-clock desktop chip with ECC support should favor the i3-8300. The data does not show a scenario where the i3-8300 outperforms the i7-10610U in Cinebench, but the desktop chip's feature set fills a different niche.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-10610U scores 786 points, while the Intel Core i3-8300 scores 763 points, a 3% difference.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-8300 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the i3-8300 supports ECC memory. The i7-10610U does not support ECC memory.

Q: How many threads does each processor have?

A: The i7-10610U has 8 threads, while the i3-8300 has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

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

A: The i7-10610U has a TDP of 25 watts, while the i3-8300 has a TDP of 62 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?

A: The i3-8300 has a base clock of 3700 MHz, while the i7-10610U has a base clock of 1800 MHz. However, the i7-10610U has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The i7-10610U has an average benchmark score of 1611, while the i3-8300 has an average benchmark score of 1564.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-10610U | Intel Core i3-8300 |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1800 MHz | 3700 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | Not recorded |

| TDP | 25 W | 62 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Comet Lake-U | Coffee Lake |

| Generation | Core i7 (Comet Lake-U) | Core i3 (Coffee Lake) |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 126 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2020-04-01 | 2018-02-13 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $138 |

| Part Number | Not recorded | SR3XY |