Core i3-8300T vs Core i5-6402P

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 i3-8300T vs Core i5-6402P 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 i3-8300T vs Core i5-6402P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8300T

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $44 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.0 vs 29.4 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-6402P

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,343 vs 5,378).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.4 vs 39.0 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8300T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8300T better than Core i5-6402P?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6402P is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8300T pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i3-8300T also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8300T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i3-8300T is the better buy right now. Core i3-8300T comes in $44 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-6402P is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 32.7% better value on MSRP (39.0 vs 29.4 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), 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 i3-8300T vs Core i5-6402P Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8300T

The Core i3-8300T 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 5,378 points. Launch price was $138.

Core i5-6402P

The Core i5-6402P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,343 points. Launch price was $187.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-8300T and Core i5-6402P share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-8300T versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-6402P — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-6402P (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-8300T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6402P uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8300T scores 5,378 against the Core i5-6402P's 5,343 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-8300T. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-8300T vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6402P.

Feature	Core i3-8300T	Core i5-6402P
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,378	5,343

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-8300T	Core i5-6402P
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
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 (Core i3-8300T) / not specified (Core i5-6402P). The Core i3-8300T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-6402P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8300T targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-8300T	Core i5-6402P
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8300T was priced at $138, while the Core i5-6402P came in at $182. On launch pricing ($138 vs $182), Core i3-8300T was $44 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8300T delivers 39.0 pts/$ vs 29.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-6402P — making the Core i3-8300T the 28.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-8300T	Core i5-6402P
MSRP	$138-24%	$182
Performance per Dollar	39.0+33%	29.4
Release Date	2018	2015

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