Intel Core i3-8145U
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i3-8145U Specifications
Core i3-8145U Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i3-8145U features 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i3-8145U Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i3-8145U benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i3-8145U by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i3-8145U Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i3-8145U processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i3-8145U's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Whiskey Lake Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i3-8145U is built on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i3-8145U incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Whiskey Lake Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i3-8145U by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i3-8145U Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i3-8145U has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 15W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel BGA 1528 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i3-8145U uses the Intel BGA 1528 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel BGA 1528 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i3-8145U define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i3-8145U determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i3-8145U Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i3-8145U includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i3-8145U provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i3-8145U Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i3-8145U is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i3-8145U by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i3-8145U Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i3-8145U performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. The R15 version remains useful for comparing against older hardware benchmarks. Higher scores directly correlate with faster render times in Cinema 4D and similar 3D applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i3-8145U. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i3-8145U. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i3-8145U after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i3-8145U maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i3-8145U
The Intel Core i3-8145U is a 2-core, 4-thread mobile processor built on Intel's 10nm Whiskey Lake architecture. It operates at a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, with a 15W TDP. The chip integrates UHD Graphics 620 and supports DDR4 memory. Its launch MSRP was $281. This report evaluates its performance against nearest rivals using benchmark data.
Benchmark Performance
The Core i3-8145U delivers a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3216 and a single-core score of 454. In R20, it scores 1350 multicore and 190 single-core. The R15 multicore result is 324. These numbers place the processor in the 31st percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms roughly a third of the market. Its average benchmark score is 1107. Comparing to its nearest rivals, the Ryzen 3 2200U, Opteron 4280, and PRO A12-8870 all share the exact same average score of 1107, with a delta of 0%. The Opteron 3280 trails slightly at 1106, a 0.1% difference. This means the i3-8145U is statistically tied with these competitors in overall performance, though the specific workload characteristics may differ. The multicore scores suggest modest parallel capability, while the single-core score indicates adequate responsiveness for everyday tasks.
The R23 multicore score of 3216 is substantially higher than the single-core score of 454, reflecting the presence of four threads across two cores. However, the absolute multicore numbers are low compared to modern desktop processors, which is typical for a 15W mobile part. The R20 multicore score of 1350 further confirms that multi-threaded workloads will be limited. For a chip in the 31st percentile, users should expect it to handle light productivity without difficulty but to struggle with intensive rendering or compilation tasks. The single-core score of 454 in R23 is respectable for its class, indicating that single-threaded applications like web browsers, office suites, and basic scripting will feel snappy. Overall, the benchmark profile places this CPU at the entry level of the mobile performance spectrum.
Power and Thermals
With a TDP of 15W, the i3-8145U belongs to the ultra-low-power class typical of thin and light laptops. This low thermal design power allows for passive cooling in some chassis or a small fan, but the exact cooling solution is not specified. The 10nm process node contributes to efficiency, though the actual power draw is not directly measured here. The 15W envelope means that sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling in constrained designs, but the boost clock of 3.90 GHz suggests short bursts of higher performance are possible. For a 2-core/4-thread part, the power budget is modest, making it suitable for fanless or near-silent operation in lightweight notebooks. The low TDP also implies that a capable air cooler—even a small one—can manage the heat output, but the exact cooling tier is not detailed in the data. This processor is clearly designed for scenarios where energy efficiency and low heat generation are priorities over raw performance.
Platform and Compatibility
The processor uses the Intel BGA 1528 socket, which is a soldered design, meaning it is not upgradeable without replacing the entire motherboard. This is a critical limitation for users who might want to swap processors later. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a peak bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The memory bus is dual-channel, which is typical for this class. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU, allowing for dedicated GPUs or fast NVMe storage, though in practice most laptops will allocate lanes to the integrated UHD Graphics 620 and other peripherals. The chip does not support ECC memory. The production status is end-of-life, and the release date was September 30, 2018. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible. The integrated UHD Graphics 620 provides basic display output but is not intended for demanding 3D workloads. Given the BGA socket and end-of-life status, the upgrade path is essentially nonexistent; users must rely on the entire laptop being replaced for any performance improvement.
FAQ
Q: What is the maximum boost clock of the i3-8145U?
A: The boost clock is 3.90 GHz.
Q: Does the processor support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported.
Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?
A: The CPU offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth?
A: The dual-channel DDR4 memory interface delivers 38.4 GB/s.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked.
Q: What is the process node?
A: The chip is fabricated on Intel's 10nm process.
Who Should Consider It
The i3-8145U is best suited for users who need a basic laptop for office productivity, web browsing, and light multitasking. Its single-core performance of 454 in Cinebench R23 is sufficient for responsive everyday applications, while the multicore score of 3216 indicates that heavy multi-threaded tasks like video editing or 3D rendering will be slow. The integrated UHD Graphics 620 can handle casual gaming at low settings, but not demanding titles. Given its 15W TDP and mobile socket, it is intended for thin-and-light notebooks where battery life and low heat are priorities. Users who require more processing power for creation workloads should consider higher-tier processors, as the 31st percentile ranking places this chip below the majority of CPUs. For students, office workers, or travelers who primarily use word processors, spreadsheets, and web apps, the i3-8145U offers adequate performance in a power-efficient package. However, anyone planning to run virtual machines, compile large codebases, or edit high-resolution video will find the dual-core configuration limiting.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The benchmark results show a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 454, while the multicore score is 3216. The R20 scores are 190 and 1350, respectively. The multicore scores are several times higher than the single-core scores, which is expected for a dual-core part with Hyper-Threading (4 threads). However, the absolute multicore numbers are low compared to modern desktop processors, reflecting the limited core count. The single-core performance is relatively stronger, which means tasks that rely on a single thread—such as many office applications, web browsing, and light coding—will feel more responsive than the multicore scores might suggest. Conversely, tasks that scale across all threads, like video encoding or batch processing, will not benefit from significant parallel speedup. This behavior makes the chip a better fit for interactive workloads than for background number-crunching. The single-core score of 454 is particularly notable because it indicates that the processor can handle daily tasks without noticeable lag, even if the multicore score of 3216 places it in the lower tier for parallel performance.
How It Compares
AMD Ryzen 3 2200U: The Ryzen 3 2200U matches the i3-8145U with an identical average benchmark score of 1107 and a delta of 0%. This indicates that the two processors deliver comparable overall performance in synthetic benchmarks, though their architectural differences may affect real-world tasks differently. The i3-8145U's higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz could give it an edge in single-threaded scenarios, but the data does not break down per-core scores for the rival.
AMD Opteron 4280: The Opteron 4280 also shares the same average score of 1107 with a 0% delta. Despite being a server-oriented part, its performance aligns closely with the i3-8145U, suggesting that the mobile chip can hold its own in certain workloads. The Opteron's higher core count is not reflected in the average score, implying that the i3-8145U's efficiency compensates for its lower core count.
AMD PRO A12-8870: The PRO A12-8870 again ties with the i3-8145U at 1107 average score and 0% delta. This reinforces the notion that the i3-8145U sits in a performance tier shared by several AMD processors. Users upgrading from a system with a PRO A12-8870 would see similar benchmark performance, though the i3-8145U's newer architecture and lower TDP may offer better battery life.
AMD Opteron 3280: The Opteron 3280 comes in at 1106, a 0.1% lower average score. While the difference is negligible, it places the i3-8145U slightly ahead in this comparison. The delta of 0.1% is within measurement noise, so the two are effectively equivalent in overall performance. This further confirms that the i3-8145U is a solid entry-level mobile processor that competes closely with a range of AMD parts.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i3-8145U
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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