CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8145U vs Intel Core i3-8145UE
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-8145U is a 2-core, 4-thread thin-and-light laptop processor launched in late 2018 for $281, utilizing the 10nm Whiskey Lake architecture with built-in hardware security mitigations.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware.
- 2 cores are insufficient for any modern AI workload.
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- CPU inference is extremely slow on 2 cores.
- Not suitable for any AI workloads.
Content Creation
Gaming
- UHD 620 is not a gaming GPU.
- 2 cores cannot feed modern game engines.
- Playable only in legacy eSports titles at lowest settings.
- This is an embedded processor not designed for gaming.
- UHD 620 cannot handle modern 3D workloads.
- Form factors using this chip lack discrete GPU support.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Hardware security fixes out of the box
- 10nm power efficiency for its era
- High 3.9 GHz single-core boost
- Configurable TDP for different chassis sizes
Cons
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- Very high $281 launch price for a dual-core
- Lacks LPDDR4 support
- UHD 620 graphics are obsolete
- Completely outclassed by modern ARM chips
Pros
- 12.5W cTDP down enables true fanless designs
- Long-lifecycle embedded support
- Hardware security mitigations included
- 10nm power efficiency
- Dual-channel memory support
Cons
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- Expensive for the compute performance offered
- Lacks LPDDR4/DDR5 support
- Outdated UHD Graphics 620
- No PCIe 4.0 support
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-8145U
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200URival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200URival
Budget Mobile
- Intel Core i3-8130URival
Previous Gen Mobile
- Intel Pentium Gold 5405URival
Entry Mobile
- Apple A12X BionicRival
Premium Tablet
A 4-core Whiskey Lake chip that provides drastically better multitasking.
Compare head-to-headThe Ice Lake successor offers better graphics and LPDDR4X support.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
For modern lightweight laptops, ARM architecture provides exponentially better performance and battery life.
Compare head-to-head - Intel N100Alt
For embedded or ultra-budget replacements, the N100 offers 4 modern cores.
Intel Core i3-8145UE
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200URival
Budget Mobile
- Intel Celeron J4125Rival
Low-Power Embedded
- Intel Pentium Silver J5005Rival
Low-Power Embedded
- AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GERival
Embedded Desktop
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 850Rival
Always-Connected
The non-embedded variant if long-lifecycle guarantees are not strictly required.
Compare head-to-head- Intel N100 (Alder Lake-N)Alt
A vastly superior modern alternative for new embedded designs featuring 4 efficient cores.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3580UAlt
Provides significantly more multi-threaded performance if the embedded chassis can handle the thermals.
- ARM Cortex-A78 Based SoCsAlt
Better efficiency for pure edge IoT tasks that do not strictly require x86.
Our Verdict on Each
Historically significant for being Intel's first 10nm mobile i3 with hardware security fixes, but its 2-core layout and high $281 launch price make it entirely obsolete for modern computing.
Best for: Only if repairing an existing laptop that uses this specific chip and the board is not compatible with newer generations.
Read the full reviewA niche embedded chip that brings hardware-level security mitigations and 10nm efficiency to industrial form factors, though its 2-core architecture is fundamentally outdated for anything beyond basic embedded tasks.
Best for: Only for OEMs maintaining existing 8th gen embedded product lines or replacing failed units in active industrial installations.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-8145U or Intel Core i3-8145UE?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-8145UE 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.
Do Intel Core i3-8145U and Intel Core i3-8145UE use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the BGA 1528 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.