Core i3-8109U vs Core i3-8140U

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 i3-8109U vs Core i3-8140U 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 i3-8109U vs Core i3-8140U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8109U

2018

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,100 vs 1,225).
❌Lower PassMark (4,184 vs 4,227).
❌86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.

Core i3-8140U

2019

Why buy it

✅+11.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8140U better than Core i3-8109U?

Yes. Core i3-8140U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-8140U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8140U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8140U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-8140U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-8140U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) 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 i3-8109U vs Core i3-8140U Technical Specifications

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

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 i3-8140U

The Core i3-8140U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2019 (6 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 4,227 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-8109U and Core i3-8140U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8140U — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i3-8140U (base: 3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-8109U is built on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-8109U scores 4,184 against the Core i3-8140U's 4,227 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-8140U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 1,225, a 10.8% lead for the Core i3-8140U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8109U vs 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-8140U.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i3-8140U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.9 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3 GHz+43%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	—
PassMark	4,184	4,227+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	1,225+11%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1528 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Core i3-8140U 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 i3-8109U	Core i3-8140U
Socket	FCBGA1528	FCBGA1528
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	No	No
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 UHD Graphics 620 (Core i3-8140U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop, Core i3-8140U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; Core i3-8140U rivals Ryzen 3 3300U.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i3-8140U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics 655	UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Mainstream Laptop