Core i3-8100T vs Core i5-7500T

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 i3-8100T vs Core i5-7500T 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 i3-8100T vs Core i5-7500T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100T

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $85 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $202 MSRP).
✅Delivers 74.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 25.8 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $202 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-7500T

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,215 vs 5,257).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.8 vs 44.9 PassMark/$ ($202 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8100T better than Core i5-7500T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7500T is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100T 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 i3-8100T 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 i3-8100T is the better buy right now. Core i3-8100T comes in $85 cheaper on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $202 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-7500T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 74.0% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 25.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-8100T 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 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 i3-8100T vs Core i5-7500T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100T

The Core i3-8100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,257 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i5-7500T

The Core i5-7500T 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,215 points. Launch price was $202.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-8100T and Core i5-7500T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-8100T versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-7500T — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-7500T (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-8100T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7500T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100T scores 5,257 against the Core i5-7500T's 5,215 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-8100T. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-8100T	Core i5-7500T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+15%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,257	5,215
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,100
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,023

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-8100T	Core i5-7500T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7500T). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-8100T) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100T targets Desktop, Core i5-7500T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-7500T rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i3-8100T	Core i5-7500T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8100T was priced at $117, while the Core i5-7500T came in at $202. On launch pricing ($117 vs $202), Core i3-8100T was $85 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8100T delivers 44.9 pts/$ vs 25.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-7500T — making the Core i3-8100T the 54% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-8100T	Core i5-7500T
MSRP	$117-42%	$202
Performance per Dollar	44.9+74%	25.8
Release Date	2018	2017

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