Core i3-7300T vs Core i3-8109U

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 i3-7300T vs Core i3-8109U 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 i3-7300T vs Core i3-8109U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7300T

2017

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-8109U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,145 vs 4,184).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Core i3-8109U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 35W vs 28W.

Core i3-8109U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 35W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-7300T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8109U better than Core i3-7300T?

Yes. Core i3-8109U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 13 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8109U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8109U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8109U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 13 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-7300T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (30.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i3-8109U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7300T vs Core i3-8109U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7300T

The Core i3-7300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,145 points. Launch price was $147.

Core i3-8109U

The Core i3-8109U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,184 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7300T and Core i3-8109U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-7300T versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-8109U (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-7300T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-8109U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7300T scores 4,145 against the Core i3-8109U's 4,184 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-8109U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 1,100, a 0% lead for the Core i3-8109U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Core i3-8109U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,145	4,184
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	1,100

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7300T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8109U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Core i3-7300T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Core i3-8109U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7300T) and Iris Plus Graphics 655 (Core i3-8109U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7300T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7300T rivals Ryzen 3 2200GE; Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Core i3-8109U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	Iris Plus Graphics 655
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Performance Laptop