Core i3-8300 vs Core i7-4790T

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 i3-8300 vs Core i7-4790T 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 i3-8300 vs Core i7-4790T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8300

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $165 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Delivers 121.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.2 vs 20.9 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-4790T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌37.8% higher power demand at 62W vs 45W.

Core i7-4790T

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 62W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,325 vs 6,370).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.9 vs 46.2 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8300 better than Core i7-4790T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4790T is ahead with a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8300 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-8300 comes in $165 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4790T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 121.1% better value on MSRP (46.2 vs 20.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-8300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8300 vs Core i7-4790T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8300

The Core i3-8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $138.

Core i7-4790T

The Core i7-4790T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,325 points. Launch price was $303.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4790T's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-8300 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4790T — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790T (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-8300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4790T uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8300 scores 6,370 against the Core i7-4790T's 6,325 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-8300. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Core i7-4790T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+37%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	6,370	6,325
Geekbench 6 Single	1,327	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4790T uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Core i7-4790T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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, EPT (Core i3-8300) / not specified (Core i7-4790T). The Core i3-8300 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4790T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8300 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8300 rivals Ryzen 3 2300X.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Core i7-4790T
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8300 was priced at $138, while the Core i7-4790T came in at $303. On launch pricing ($138 vs $303), Core i3-8300 was $165 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8300 delivers 46.2 pts/$ vs 20.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-4790T — making the Core i3-8300 the 75.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Core i7-4790T
MSRP	$138-54%	$303
Performance per Dollar	46.2+121%	20.9
Release Date	2018	2014

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