Intel Core i3-8300T

The Intel Core i3-8300T is a desktop processor in Intel’s Coffee Lake generation, built on a 14 nm process with a 126 mm² die. It provides four cores and four threads, a 3.20 GHz base clock, and no listed boost clock. The database places it at the 40th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1604. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-970, Intel Core i3-9100E, AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, and Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5. The processor uses Socket 1151, supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with ECC, and integrates UHD Graphics 630. Its launch MSRP is $138, and its production status is end-of-life.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The benchmark results show a clear separation between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R15, the single-core score is 67 while the multi-core score is 477. Cinebench R20 returns 280 single-core and 1990 multi-core. Cinebench R23 records 669 single-core and 4739 multi-core. Geekbench follows the same pattern, with 1171 single-core and 3436 multi-core. Across all four test families, the multi-core result is substantially higher, as expected for a processor with four physical cores. However, the magnitude of that gain is limited by the fact that the part has exactly four threads and no additional logical processor count to draw on.

For real workloads, this split matters in practical terms. Single-thread-sensitive tasks depend heavily on the listed 3.20 GHz base clock, since no boost clock is present in the data. That limits responsiveness in lightly threaded applications and in workloads that demand high per-core throughput. Multi-threaded tasks can use all four cores, but the ceiling is set by the four-thread design. The scores indicate that the processor will feel most comfortable in workloads that are modestly threaded or in environments where a low-power four-core part is sufficient. The gap between single-core and multi-core numbers is consistent across different benchmark generations, which reinforces the idea that the processor’s behavior is stable rather than workload-specific.

The absence of a boost clock also shapes the single-thread versus multi-thread story. With no turbo frequency listed, the processor operates around its base clock in the benchmark data. This affects both categories, but the impact is more visible in single-thread results because there is no frequency headroom to draw on when only one core is active. In multi-threaded tests, the four cores can divide the work, so the aggregate score benefits from parallelism even without a frequency boost. The data shows that the multi-core advantage is real, but not overwhelming.

How It Compares

The Intel Core i7-970 is the closest rival in average score, posting 1605 against the i3-8300T’s 1604. The deltaPct is -0.1, meaning the i3-8300T trails by a tenth of a percent. In practice, the aggregate benchmark performance of these two parts is effectively indistinguishable. The comparison is more meaningful at the platform level than at the raw score level.

The Intel Core i3-9100E is next, with an average score of 1607 and a deltaPct of -0.2. The i3-8300T sits two tenths of a percent behind this rival. Again, the average scores are so close that the ordering could easily be reversed with a small change in workload mix. The i3-9100E is a comparable low-power embedded-class part, and the data places the two processors in the same performance band.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U posts an average score of 1600, with a deltaPct of 0.3. This is the only rival in the nearest group that the i3-8300T leads, and the lead is only three tenths of a percent. The Ryzen 5 2500U is a mobile-oriented APU, while the i3-8300T is a desktop part, but the aggregate benchmark scores put them at the same level. That tells more about the compactness of this performance tier than about any systemic superiority.

The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 records an average score of 1609 and a deltaPct of -0.3. The i3-8300T is three tenths of a percent behind this rival. The Xeon carries server-class associations such as ECC support, but the i3-8300T also supports ECC memory according to the data. The score gap is negligible, making the two parts comparable in aggregate compute despite their different market positions.

Benchmark Performance

The i3-8300T’s average benchmark score of 1604 places it in a tightly packed cluster. The nearest rival scores range from 1600 to 1609, and the deltaPct values are all within -0.3 to 0.3. This means the i3-8300T never strays more than a fraction of a percent from its four nearest competitors in the database. The 40th percentile ranking confirms that this is not a high-end part, but it is not an outlier at the bottom either. It sits below the majority of tested CPUs while remaining competitive with a specific set of similarly scoring processors.

In Cinebench R15, the multi-core result of 477 is more than seven times the single-core result of 67. R20’s multi-core score of 1990 is also much larger than its 280 single-core score. R23 continues this pattern with 4739 multi-core versus 669 single-core. Geekbench shows the same relationship, with 3436 multi-core against 1171 single-core. These scores indicate that the processor’s multi-threaded mode delivers a meaningful advantage over its single-threaded mode, but the absolute values are modest relative to higher-tier desktop parts.

The aggregate deltaPct values show that the i3-8300T is not dramatically better or worse than its nearest rivals. A delta of -0.1 against the Core i7-970 means the two are close to parity. A delta of -0.2 against the Core i3-9100E is similarly minor. The 0.3 lead over the Ryzen 5 2500U is the largest margin in the group, and it is still small. The -0.3 gap versus the Xeon E3-1240L v5 is the opposite side of the same coin. The data points to a processor that is positioned at a specific performance level, rather than one that clearly dominates or is clearly dominated by its nearest rivals.

The percentile figure reinforces this interpretation. At the 40th percentile, the i3-8300T is below the midpoint of the database. That means most other CPUs in the database score higher on average. The benchmark scores themselves are internally consistent across generations of Cinebench and Geekbench, suggesting that the processor’s performance profile is well characterized by the available data. For a four-thread desktop part, the scores are in line with the design’s intended scope.

Who Should Consider It

Workload selection is the key factor when considering the i3-8300T. For gaming, the single-core scores in Cinebench and Geekbench are modest, and the absence of a boost clock means there is no listed frequency headroom for lightly threaded game logic. The processor has integrated UHD Graphics 630, so it can provide a basic display output and some graphics capability, but the compute benchmarks indicate that demanding gaming workloads will be constrained by the low single-thread ceiling.

For office and productivity workloads, the four-core, four-thread configuration is more appropriate. The multi-core scores, such as 4739 in Cinebench R23 and 3436 in Geekbench, are enough for everyday multitasking, document work, spreadsheets, and web-based applications. The dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth provides a reasonable memory path for such tasks. The 35 W TDP also makes it suitable for compact desktop systems where power and heat are concerns.

For content creation, the i3-8300T is limited by its thread count. Rendering, video encoding, and heavy compilation workloads that scale across many threads will show the effects of having only four threads. The multi-core scores are substantially higher than the single-core scores, but they are still in the low-to-mid range for a desktop CPU. Users whose workloads are entirely multi-threaded and sustained would likely need a part with more cores, though the data does not include such comparisons beyond the nearest rivals.

For memory-integrity-sensitive workloads, the ECC support is a notable feature. The processor supports ECC memory, which can be important for data validation in small servers or workstations. The socket and platform details, including Gen 3 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes, fit a standard desktop slot. The multiplier is not unlocked, so overclocking is not part of the intended use case. This is a processor for workloads that favor stability, low power, and a defined performance envelope over maximum throughput.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Core i3-8300T is rated at a 35 W TDP, placing it in a low-power desktop class. This is supported by the 14 nm manufacturing process and the 126 mm² die size. A 35 W TDP implies a modest cooling requirement. The processor does not sit in a high-heat, high-power envelope, so a simple cooling solution should be sufficient for normal operation. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 adds an on-die graphics block, but the overall thermal load remains within the design’s low-power intent.

Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The platform uses Socket 1151 and provides Gen 3 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes. These figures indicate that the i3-8300T fits into conventional desktop motherboards without exotic power delivery or cooling. The lack of an unlocked multiplier further reinforces the idea that the processor is intended to run within its default power and thermal limits.

The 35 W TDP is the most direct indicator of cooling tier. Processors in this class generally do not require large radiators or high-airflow cooling solutions. The benchmark data does not include temperature measurements, so any thermal analysis must rely on the power specification and process node. The 14 nm process is mature, and the 126 mm² die is small, which helps distribute heat within a low-power budget. Overall, the i3-8300T is a low-heat desktop processor whose thermal behavior is consistent with its modest average benchmark score and 40th percentile ranking.