CPU
GPU
Core i3-8109U
Core i3-7300T
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-8109U is positioned at rank 857 and the Core i3-7300T is on rank 593, so the Core i3-7300T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8109U
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7300T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-8109U | Core i3-7300T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($128) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-8109U | Core i3-7300T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($128) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-8109U and Core i3-7300T
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.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-8109U and Core i3-7300T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-7300T — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-8109U (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-8109U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7300T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8109U scores 4,184 against the Core i3-7300T's 4,145 — 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 i3-7300T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i3-8109U | Core i3-7300T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.5 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 4,184 | 4,145 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,100 | 1,100 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-8109U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7300T uses LGA1151 (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 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i3-8109U | Core i3-7300T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1528 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics 655 (Core i3-8109U) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7300T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop, Core i3-7300T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; Core i3-7300T rivals Ryzen 3 2200GE.
| Feature | Core i3-8109U | Core i3-7300T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Iris Plus Graphics 655 | HD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Performance Laptop | Low Power Desktop |
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