Core i3-8100H vs Core i5-3450S

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 i3-8100H vs Core i5-3450S 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 i3-8100H vs Core i5-3450S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100H

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-3450S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3450S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i5-3450S

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,399 vs 4,435).
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Core i3-8100H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8100H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8100H better than Core i5-3450S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3450S is ahead with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100H pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8100H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8100H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-3450S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (25.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i3-8100H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8100H vs Core i5-3450S Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100H

The Core i3-8100H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,435 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i5-3450S

The Core i5-3450S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,399 points. Launch price was $150.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-8100H and Core i5-3450S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i3-8100H versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450S — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-3450S (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-8100H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3450S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100H scores 4,435 against the Core i5-3450S's 4,399 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-8100H. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i3-8100H vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450S.

Feature	Core i3-8100H	Core i5-3450S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,435	4,399

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8100H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3450S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8100H	Core i5-3450S
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100H) / not specified (Core i5-3450S). The Core i3-8100H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-3450S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100H targets Mobile.