Intel Core i3-8300

The Intel Core i3-8300 is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor built on the Coffee Lake architecture at Intel’s 14 nm process node. Launched on February 13, 2018, this end-of-life part occupies the 40th percentile among all CPUs in the benchmark database, with an average benchmark score of 1557. It carries a 62 W TDP, supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and includes UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics. The following analysis positions this chip against its nearest rivals, examines its power characteristics, and interprets its benchmark performance across Cinebench workloads.

How It Compares

Against the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5, the Core i3-8300 is statistically a dead heat. Both processors achieve an identical average benchmark score of 1557, with a deltaPct of 0. This means that in aggregate multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, the two chips deliver indistinguishable overall performance. The Xeon targets a different market segment, but the data shows no measurable performance gap between them in the benchmark suite.

The Intel Atom x7835RE posts an average score of 1558, which puts the Core i3-8300 trailing by a mere 0.1%. This is effectively a tie within measurement noise, yet it is notable that a low-power Atom part can match a desktop Core i3 in average benchmark output. The Core i3-8300’s advantage lies elsewhere—in its higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and full desktop feature set—but the raw average scores do not reflect a decisive lead.

The AMD Opteron 6276 scores 1560 on average, giving the Core i3-8300 a -0.2% delta. This older server-class processor, with its many-core design, edges out the i3-8300 by a razor-thin margin in the aggregate. However, the Opteron’s advantage comes from core count rather than per-core efficiency; the Core i3-8300’s single-thread performance is in a different class, as later sections will show.

The Intel Core i5-4690S also averages 1560, matching the Opteron and putting the i3-8300 at a -0.2% delta. This is a direct generational comparison: the older i5-4690S, despite having the same 4-core/4-thread configuration, edges out the newer i3-8300 by two points on average. The difference is negligible in practice, but it indicates that the i3-8300 does not bring a substantial average-performance uplift over its predecessor generation.

Power and Thermals

The Core i3-8300 is rated at a 62 W TDP, which places it in the mainstream desktop power class. This is a modest thermal envelope for a 4-core part, and it implies that a capable air cooler is sufficient for normal operation. The die size is 126 mm², and the processor is fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process, which contributes to the relatively low power draw.

Because the multiplier is locked, there is no headroom for user-driven overclocking to increase power consumption beyond stock settings. The 62 W TDP means the chip will not require exotic cooling solutions; a standard tower-style air cooler or even a compact low-profile cooler can handle the thermal load under sustained multi-threaded workloads. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 also shares the same thermal budget, so systems with heavy iGPU usage will see modest increases in heat output, but the overall cooling requirement remains in the entry-to-midrange tier.

For compact or small-form-factor builds, the 62 W TDP is favorable. It allows for smaller heatsinks and quieter fan profiles compared to higher-TDP desktop parts. The data does not include specific temperature figures, but the power class alone suggests that thermal throttling is unlikely in well-ventilated chassis with even basic cooling.

Benchmark Performance

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i3-8300 scores 542. This is a 4-thread result that reflects its physical 4-core layout. The single-core score of 76 in R15 is modest, but it aligns with the chip’s 3.70 GHz base clock and lack of boost capability. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score rises to 2261, while the single-core score is 319. The R23 results show a multi-core score of 5384 and a single-core score of 760.

The deltas against nearest rivals provide context. The Core i3-8300’s average benchmark score of 1557 is exactly equal to the Xeon E3-1268L v5, meaning that in the mix of workloads represented by the benchmark suite, the two chips perform identically. Against the Atom x7835RE (1558), the i3-8300 is 0.1% slower on average. Against the Opteron 6276 (1560) and the Core i5-4690S (1560), it is 0.2% slower. These differences are below 1%, so they are effectively negligible in real-world use.

The single-core results tell a different story than the average scores. The Core i3-8300’s R23 single-core score of 760 is a strong per-thread result, and this is where it separates from the older Opteron, which relies on many cores rather than high per-core throughput. The Atom x7835RE, despite matching the i3-8300 on average, cannot match this single-thread performance—the Atom’s architecture prioritizes efficiency over raw speed. The i5-4690S, with its similar 4-core/4-thread design, is the closest single-thread rival, but the i3-8300’s newer Coffee Lake architecture and higher base clock of 3.70 GHz give it an edge in lightly threaded tasks.

Multi-core performance is where the Core i3-8300’s limitations appear. With only 4 threads and no simultaneous multithreading, its R23 multi-core score of 5384 is respectable for its class but will be outpaced by 6-core and 8-core parts. The average score percentile of 40 indicates that the chip sits below the majority of CPUs in the database, which is expected for a 4-thread desktop part in a market dominated by higher-core-count processors.

Platform and Compatibility

The Core i3-8300 uses the Intel Socket 1151 interface, which is shared with other Coffee Lake processors. The architecture and codename are both Coffee Lake, and the generation is listed as Core i3 (Coffee Lake). Memory support is DDR4 with a dual-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported, which is a notable feature for entry-level workstation or server builds, though the desktop market segment suggests typical consumer use.

PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. This provides a full x16 slot for a discrete graphics card, or it can be split for other expansion needs. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 is present, so the chip can operate without a discrete GPU for basic display output. The process node is 14 nm, the foundry is Intel, and the die size is 126 mm².

The production status is end-of-life, meaning new units are no longer manufactured. The release date was February 13, 2018, and the launch MSRP was $138. The part number is SR3XY. The multiplier is unlocked? No—it is locked, so overclocking is not supported. Upgrade path considerations are limited by the socket: users on Socket 1151 can move to other Coffee Lake parts, but the end-of-life status means no new processor generations will arrive on this platform. The 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are sufficient for a single high-end GPU, but multi-GPU configurations would be constrained.

Who Should Consider It

The Core i3-8300 is suited for users whose workloads are dominated by single-threaded performance. Its R23 single-core score of 760, combined with a base clock of 3.70 GHz, makes it a capable choice for everyday office applications, web browsing, and light productivity tasks where responsiveness matters more than raw multi-thread throughput. The 40th percentile overall ranking reflects its position as a mainstream, not high-end, part.

For gaming, the Core i3-8300 can handle most titles at moderate settings, but its 4-thread limit means modern games that scale beyond 4 threads will see diminishing returns. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 allows for basic gaming without a discrete GPU, but for serious gaming, a dedicated graphics card would be necessary. The 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes support that card adequately.

For content creation, the Core i3-8300 is not the primary choice. Multi-core workloads such as video rendering or 3D modeling will be limited by the 4-thread configuration. The R23 multi-core score of 5384 is roughly 7 times higher than the single-core score, but that is still a modest absolute number compared to higher-core-count alternatives. Users with occasional light photo editing or document work will find it adequate, but heavy creators should look elsewhere.

The ECC memory support is a distinguishing feature. This makes the Core i3-8300 viable for entry-level build that require error-correcting memory, such as small file servers or computational tasks where data integrity is critical. However, the 4-core limit caps its suitability for heavily threaded server workloads.

In summary, the Core i3-8300 is a balanced, low-power desktop processor that matches its nearest rivals on average performance but offers stronger single-thread capabilities. It is a fit for budget-conscious office builds, light gaming systems, and any application that values per-core speed over core count. Its end-of-life status and locked multiplier mean it is a fixed-performance part, but within its class, it delivers predictable and consistent results.