Intel Core i3-8300T vs Intel Core i7-4760HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-4760HQ across every Cinebench workload in the comparison set. This is not a narrow victory; the margin is remarkably consistent, hovering around 13 percent in each test. The i7-4760HQ wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the i3-8300T does not take a single win.

Looking at the multicore results, the gap is steady. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-4760HQ scores 539 against the i3-8300T's 469, a 13 percent deficit for the newer chip. The R20 multicore test shows the same pattern: 2249 versus 1955, again 13.1 percent in favor of the i7. The R23 multicore run continues the trend with 5355 against 4656, a 13.1 percent difference. The consistency here suggests the advantage comes from a structural difference in the chips rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-4760HQ posts 76 versus 66, a 13.2 percent lead. R20 single-core shows 317 against 275, another 13.2 percent gap. R23 single-core follows with 756 versus 657, a 13.1 percent margin. The fact that the single-core delta matches the multicore delta almost exactly is telling: the i7's advantage is not just about extra threads, it is about per-thread efficiency as well.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this. The i3-8300T has an average score of 1586, while the i7-4760HQ sits at 1549. Interestingly, the i3 actually has a slightly higher average score, but this is because the i3's benchmark set includes Geekbench results that are not present for the i7. The i3-8300T records a Geekbench multicore score of 3436 and a single-core score of 1171, while the i7-4760HQ has no Geekbench entries in the database. When comparing only the overlapping Cinebench tests, the i7 is ahead in every single one.

The percentile rankings are close but slightly favor the i3. The i3-8300T sits at the 39th percentile among all CPUs, while the i7-4760HQ is at the 38th percentile. This near-tie in percentile despite the i7's consistent benchmark wins suggests the i3 benefits from its Geekbench results in the overall ranking calculation.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-4760HQ wins every benchmark category where both chips have recorded data. That includes all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) and both single-core and multicore variants within each. If you are looking at raw rendering performance, video encoding, or any workload that scales with Cinebench scores, the i7-4760HQ is the clear choice based on the numbers.

The i3-8300T does have one area where it appears stronger: Geekbench. It records a multicore score of 3436 and a single-core score of 1171. However, since the i7-4760HQ has no Geekbench entries in the database, there is no direct comparison available. The i3's average benchmark score of 1586 is also higher than the i7's 1549, but again this is skewed by the different test sets.

For power-sensitive scenarios, the i3-8300T has a significant advantage in thermal design power. It is rated at 35 watts, while the i7-4760HQ draws 47 watts. That is a 12 watt difference, which matters in compact builds or systems with limited cooling. The i3 also supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not, making it the safer pick for error-sensitive workloads like data processing or long-running compute tasks.

The i3-8300T is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-4760HQ is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1364. This means the i3 can be swapped into a standard desktop motherboard, while the i7 is soldered into laptops or all-in-one systems. If you are building a new system, the i3 offers far more flexibility. If you are upgrading an existing laptop, the i7 is the only option that fits.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i7-4760HQ as the faster processor in every overlapping benchmark. It leads by roughly 13 percent in both single-core and multicore Cinebench tests, and it does so consistently across three different versions of the benchmark. For users who prioritize raw compute throughput, particularly in rendering or multi-threaded productivity, the i7-4760HQ is the stronger pick.

However, the i3-8300T is not without its own merits. It runs cooler at 35 watts versus 47 watts, supports ECC memory, and uses a standard desktop socket that allows for easy upgrades and replacement. It also has a newer architecture (Coffee Lake versus Haswell) and a smaller process node (14 nm versus 22 nm), which typically translates to better efficiency per clock.

The choice depends on your use case. If you are building a desktop and want a low-power, ECC-capable chip with decent performance, the i3-8300T is the practical choice. If you are stuck with a mobile platform or simply want the highest Cinebench scores in this comparison, the i7-4760HQ is the one to pick. The i7 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, but the i3 wins on platform flexibility and power efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-4760HQ scores 5355, while the Intel Core i3-8300T scores 4656. The i7 leads by 13.1 percent.

Q: Does the i3-8300T have any benchmark wins over the i7-4760HQ?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the i7-4760HQ winning all six recorded comparisons, with no wins for the i3-8300T.

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

A: The i3-8300T is rated at 35 watts, while the i7-4760HQ is rated at 47 watts. The i3 draws 12 watts less.

Q: Can the i7-4760HQ be used in a desktop motherboard?

A: No. The i7-4760HQ uses Intel BGA 1364, which is a soldered mobile socket. The i3-8300T uses Intel Socket 1151, which is a standard desktop socket.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-8300T supports ECC memory. The i7-4760HQ does not list ECC support.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i3-8300T has an average score of 1586, while the i7-4760HQ has an average score of 1549. The i3 is slightly higher, but this includes Geekbench results that are not recorded for the i7.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and are built for different market segments. The Intel Core i3-8300T uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-4760HQ uses the Haswell architecture (codename Crystalwell) on a 22 nm node. The i7's die is significantly larger at 264 mm², compared to the i3's 126 mm², and it packs 1,400 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the i3.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i3: 8 MB versus 6 MB on the i7. This gives the i3 an advantage in cache capacity, which can help in workloads that repeatedly access a working set of data.

The i7-4760HQ has a more advanced integrated graphics solution with Intel HD 5200, while the i3-8300T uses UHD Graphics 630. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, so expansion capability is identical on paper. The i7 supports DDR3 memory, while the i3 supports DDR4, which is a generational difference in memory technology.

The i7-4760HQ also has Hyper-Threading, giving it 8 threads from 4 cores, while the i3-8300T is limited to 4 threads from 4 cores. This explains part of the multicore performance gap, though the single-core gap shows the i7's architecture is also more efficient per thread in these tests.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the i3-8300T has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-4760HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are also different, with the i3 running at 3.20 GHz and the i7 at 2.10 GHz, though the i7 has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz while the i3 has no boost clock listed.

The i3-8300T has a TDP of 35 watts, the i7-4760HQ has a TDP of 47 watts. Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 for the i3, Intel BGA 1364 for the i7. The i3 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7 supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory.

ECC memory support is present on the i3 but absent on the i7. The i3 has a launch MSRP of $138, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the i7. The i3 was released in April 2018, the i7 in January 2014. Both are end-of-life products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SR3Y1 for the i3 and SR1BM for the i7.