Core i3-10300T vs Core i7-8709G

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-10300T vs Core i7-8709G FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-10300T vs Core i7-8709G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10300T

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $181 less on MSRP ($157 MSRP vs $338 MSRP).
✅Delivers 113.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 50.2 vs 23.5 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $338 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 100W, a 65W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-8709G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8709G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,879 vs 7,934).

Core i7-8709G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.5 vs 50.2 PassMark/$ ($338 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
❌185.7% higher power demand at 100W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10300T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10300T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8709G better than Core i3-10300T?

Yes. Core i7-8709G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8709G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8709G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-8709G is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8709G comes in 115.3% more expensive on MSRP at $338 MSRP versus $157 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10300T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 7,879 PassMark with 4 cores and 8 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10300T vs Core i7-8709G Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-10300T

The Core i3-10300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,879 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8709G

The Core i7-8709G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,934 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10300T and Core i7-8709G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10300T versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8709G — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i7-8709G (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-8709G is built on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-10300T scores 7,879 against the Core i7-8709G's 7,934 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-8709G. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-10300T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8709G.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i7-8709G
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.1 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.1 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark	7,879	7,934
Geekbench 6 Single	1,313	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,090	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10300T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8709G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i7-8709G
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2270
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10300T) / not specified (Core i7-8709G). The Core i3-10300T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-8709G requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i7-8709G
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10300T was priced at $157, while the Core i7-8709G came in at $338. On launch pricing ($157 vs $338), Core i3-10300T was $181 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10300T delivers 50.2 pts/$ vs 23.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-8709G — making the Core i3-10300T the 72.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i7-8709G
MSRP	$157-54%	$338
Performance per Dollar	50.2+114%	23.5
Release Date	2020	2018

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