Core i3-8100 vs Processor 300T

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 i3-8100 vs Processor 300T 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 i3-8100 vs Processor 300T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Processor 300T needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Processor 300T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,073 vs 6,084).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 51.9 vs 74.2 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Processor 300T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Processor 300T

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($82 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 74.2 vs 51.9 PassMark/$ ($82 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-8100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8100.

Quick Answers

So, is Processor 300T better than Core i3-8100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8100 is ahead with a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Processor 300T pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Processor 300T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Processor 300T is the better buy right now. Processor 300T comes in $35 cheaper on MSRP at $82 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-8100 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 42.9% better value on MSRP (74.2 vs 51.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Processor 300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-8100 vs Processor 300T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100

The Core i3-8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,073 points. Launch price was $117.

Processor 300T

The Processor 300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 6,084 points. Launch price was $82.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Processor 300T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i3-8100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 versus 3.4 GHz on the Processor 300T — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-8100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i3-8100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Processor 300T uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100 scores 6,073 against the Processor 300T's 6,084 — a 0.2% lead for the Processor 300T. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Processor 300T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+6%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+6%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	6,073	6,084
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor 300T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Processor 300T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100) / not specified (Processor 300T). The Core i3-8100 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Processor 300T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100 targets Budget Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Processor 300T
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Budget Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8100 was priced at $117, while the Processor 300T came in at $82. On launch pricing ($117 vs $82), Processor 300T was $35 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8100 delivers 51.9 pts/$ vs 74.2 pts/$ for the Processor 300T — making the Processor 300T the 35.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Processor 300T
MSRP	$117	$82-30%
Performance per Dollar	51.9	74.2+43%
Release Date	2017	2024

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