CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8020 vs Intel Core i3-9000
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.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Can handle single applications well due to the high 3.7 GHz clock, but multitasking is severely hindered by 4 threads.
Gaming
Even with a dedicated GPU, the lack of Hyper-Threading will cause severe stuttering in modern CPU-bound games.
Virtualization
4 threads are the absolute minimum for a host OS, leaving no room for a useful virtual machine.
Efficiency
The 14nm process is power-hungry compared to modern alternatives, drawing 65W for mediocre performance.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
No data
- Lacks AVX-512 and any modern AI acceleration capabilities
Content Creation
No data
Gaming
No data
- Modern games require at least 8 threads to avoid stuttering
- The fixed 3.7 GHz clock prevents the CPU from boosting during heavy gaming loads
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- High fixed 3.7 GHz clock provides consistent single-thread performance
- 65W TDP is easy to cool
- 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes are sufficient for basic add-in cards
- Uses mature, inexpensive LGA 1151 motherboard chipsets
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading limits it to 4 threads, which is unacceptable today
- No integrated graphics means a dead system if the dGPU fails
- No Turbo Boost technology
- Locked to DDR4-2666 memory speeds
- Dead-end LGA 1151 platform with no upgrade path
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-8020
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GRival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Rival
Budget Desktop
- Intel Pentium Gold G5400Rival
Entry Desktop
The actual released version of this generation's entry-level 4-core CPU.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
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 i3-9000
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GRival
Budget Desktop APU
- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Rival
Budget AM4
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100Rival
Better 8th-Gen i3
- Intel Pentium Gold G5600Rival
Budget 2-Core
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Used Market King
A drop-in upgrade for LGA 1200 systems that offers HT, higher clocks, and an iGPU.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
A budget AMD alternative with strong integrated graphics and 4 cores/4 threads.
The logical OEM upgrade with 6 cores, providing much better multitasking.
Compare head-to-head
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 reviewThe i3-9000 is a heavily segmented OEM chip that removed Hyper-Threading and integrated graphics. It has no place in the modern computing landscape.
Best for: The only acceptable scenario for the i3-9000 is if you inherit a pre-built office PC for free and need a basic machine to run a legacy piece of software or act as a home file server. Because it lacks an iGPU, you must ensure it has a dedicated graphics card installed, or it will not output video. Do not spend money acquiring this processor.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-8020 or Intel Core i3-9000?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-9000 comes out ahead with a score of 2.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i3-8020 or Intel Core i3-9000?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9000 leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i3-8020 and Intel Core i3-9000.
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 i3-9000 (65 W).
Do Intel Core i3-8020 and Intel Core i3-9000 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-9000 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-9000 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.