CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8100 vs Intel Core i3-8100F
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-8100 is a historically significant 8th-generation desktop processor that introduced 4 physical cores to the mainstream i3 tier, replacing the dual-core designs of previous generations.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The lack of Hyper-Threading severely limits performance in heavily threaded office applications compared to newer 8-thread budget chips.
Functions identically to an i3-8100 for desktop tasks.
Gaming
Paired with a strong discrete GPU, it can still handle older eSports titles, but modern AAA games will be heavily CPU bottlenecked.
The fixed 3.6 GHz clock and 4 threads provide a very baseline experience, similar to the i3-8100 but with no iGPU fallback.
Virtualization
4 threads is the absolute minimum for running a modern OS and a single light virtual machine.
4 threads with no SMT is the absolute minimum for any modern OS.
Efficiency
The 14nm process is power-hungry compared to modern 7nm or 5nm alternatives, drawing 65W for modest performance.
Draws a constant 65W because there is no Turbo Boost power state cycling.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware acceleration
- Lacks AVX-512
- Far too slow for any practical AI inference
- No AI hardware.
- 4 threads are insufficient.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Requires a dedicated GPU for any gaming
- Fixed clock speed prevents single-thread boosts
- 4 cores are becoming the bare minimum for modern games
- 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
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Historically significant for bringing 4 cores to the i3 tier
- Very cheap on the used market
- Low 65W TDP is easy to cool
- UHD 630 iGPU is sufficient for basic display tasks
- Stable, mature platform with abundant used motherboards
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading (4 cores, 4 threads only)
- No Turbo Boost (fixed 3.6 GHz clock)
- DDR4 memory speed artificially capped at 2400 MT/s
- Outdated 14nm architecture with poor efficiency
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
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 i3-8100
- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GRival
Budget Desktop APU
- Intel Pentium Gold G5400Rival
Entry Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1400Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-7400Rival
Previous Gen Mid-Range
A drop-in replacement (with a BIOS update) that adds Hyper-Threading for 8 threads and much higher clocks.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Alt
Offers SMT (8 threads) and a modern upgrade path to Ryzen 5000 series.
If staying on the exact same platform, the 8400 offers 6 cores for much better multitasking.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A massively faster 12-thread CPU that redefines budget performance.
The current king of budget computing, offering IPC gains that make the 8100 look stationary.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-8100F
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100Rival
Standard Desktop
- Intel Pentium Gold G5400Rival
Entry Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-9100FRival
Next-Gen Budget
- Intel Core i5-8400FAlt
A massively better F-series option with 6 cores.
- Intel Core i3-10100FAlt
A modern, easily available budget gaming option.
Our Verdict on Each
A landmark chip in 2017 for bringing quad-core computing to the masses, but thoroughly outclassed by modern budget processors in every metric.
Best for: The only justifiable scenario for purchasing an Intel Core i3-8100 today is if you are repairing an existing LGA 1151 v2 system (like an office PC or a hand-me-down) and can find the CPU for under $20 on the used market. Even then, you must consider that the 8100 lacks Hyper-Threading, which severely limits its longevity in modern operating systems that are increasingly optimized for 8 or more threads. If you are building a new system, even the absolute cheapest new motherboard and CPU combo from AMD or Intel's 12th/13th gen will offer exponentially better performance, efficiency, and platform features like PCIe 4.0 or DDR5. Do not buy this CPU for gaming, as the lack of Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading will cause severe stuttering in modern titles compared to a modern Ryzen 3.
Read the full reviewA 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 reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-8100 or Intel Core i3-8100F?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-8100 comes out ahead with a score of 4/10. 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 i3-8100 or Intel Core i3-8100F?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-8100 leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i3-8100 and Intel Core i3-8100F.
Do Intel Core i3-8100 and Intel Core i3-8100F use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.