CPU Comparison

Intel Core i3-8020 vs Intel Core i3-8100F

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-8020 is a highly obscure, cancelled 8th-generation desktop processor that was scheduled for an OEM release but never officially made it to the market.

Intel · Core i3
Intel Core i3-8020
4C / 4T3.7 GHz51 W
0
Full review
Top pick
Intel · Core i3
Intel Core i3-8100F
4C / 4T0 GHz65 W
3
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Desktop
Budget Desktop
Segment
Desktop
Desktop
Generation
8th Generation
8th Gen Core i3 (Coffee Lake)
Launched
2018
2018
Status
Cancelled
End-of-life
Codename
Coffee Lake
Coffee Lake
Series
Core i3
Core i3
Family
Coffee Lake
Coffee Lake
Predecessor
Intel Core i3-7100
None
Successor
N/A (Cancelled)
Intel Core i3-9100F

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
4
4
Base Clock
3.7 GHz
3.6 GHz
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
0 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
6 MB
6 MB
TDP
51 W
65 W
Architecture
Architecture
Coffee Lake
Coffee Lake
Process Node
14nm
14nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR4
DDR4
Memory Speed
DDR4-2400
DDR4-2400
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Platform & I/O
Socket
LGA 1151
LGA 1151
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
None
Unlocked
No
No

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i3-8020

No data

Intel Core i3-8100FMinimal
  • No AI hardware.
  • 4 threads are insufficient.

Content Creation

Intel Core i3-8020

No data

Intel Core i3-8100FNot Applicable

Gaming

Intel Core i3-8020

No data

Intel Core i3-8100FNot Applicable
  • Requires a discrete GPU.
  • Fixed 3.6 GHz is too low for modern AAA games.
  • Lacks the burst performance of even cheaper Pentium chips that have Turbo Boost.

Industry Impact

Gaming
None
None
Workstations
None
None
Content Creation
None
None
Virtualization
None
None

Best CPU by Use Case

N/A
N/A
Hardware Collection
Excellent
Historical Benchmarking
Good
Basic Retro Gaming
Basic
Dedicated Appliance
Basic
Display-less Server
Basic

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Students

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i3-8020

Pros

  • None (Cancelled)

Cons

  • Cancelled before market release
  • No Hyper-Threading
  • Fixed clock speed with no Turbo Boost
  • DDR4-2400 memory speed limitation
  • Obsolete architecture
Intel Core i3-8100F

Pros

  • Historical novelty value
  • Functions as a standard Coffee Lake i3 if you have a GPU
  • Fixed 3.6 GHz is higher than the T-series chips
  • Supports ECC memory

Cons

  • Cancelled by Intel, no support
  • Extremely rare and hard to find
  • No integrated graphics
  • No Hyper-Threading
  • No Turbo Boost
  • Overpriced on the secondary market due to rarity

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i3-8020

  • AMD Ryzen 3 2200G

    Budget Desktop

    Rival
  • AMD Ryzen 3 1200

    Budget Desktop

    Rival
  • Intel Pentium Gold G5400

    Entry Desktop

    Rival
  • The actual released version of this generation's entry-level 4-core CPU.

    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
    Alt

    A much newer and faster budget APU with strong integrated graphics.

  • A massive upgrade that adds Hyper-Threading for 8 threads.

    Compare head-to-head

Intel Core i3-8100F

Our Verdict on Each

This processor was launched and subsequently cancelled. It cannot be purchased, reviewed, or used in modern systems.

Best for: There is no scenario where you can or should buy the Intel Core i3-8020. Because the processor was cancelled prior to mass distribution, finding a physical chip is virtually impossible outside of rare engineering samples. If you happen to encounter one, it would likely not function correctly on standard consumer motherboards due to potential microcode restrictions. Furthermore, even if it did work, a fixed 3.7 GHz clock speed on a 4-core, 4-thread architecture is drastically outdated by modern standards. Any current generation Ryzen 3 or Intel Core i3 would completely outclass it in every metric, including efficiency, single-core speed, and multi-core throughput. Do not spend money or time trying to acquire this silicon.

Read the full review

A historically bizarre chip that lacked both Hyper-Threading and integrated graphics. Its abrupt cancellation means it is practically irrelevant for any practical computing today.

Best for: Only as a collector's piece if found in its original box for a reasonable price.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i3-8020 or Intel Core i3-8100F?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-8100F comes out ahead with a score of 3/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i3-8020 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-8020 (51 W), Intel Core i3-8100F (65 W).

Do Intel Core i3-8020 and Intel Core i3-8100F use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.