CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-8300T vs Intel Core i3-9000
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-8300T is an OEM-exclusive 35W desktop processor featuring 4 cores, 4 threads, no Turbo Boost, and a larger 8MB L3 cache, harvested from higher-tier Coffee Lake silicon.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The larger cache makes desktop interactions and application loading feel slightly snappier than the 6MB 8100T.
Can handle single applications well due to the high 3.7 GHz clock, but multitasking is severely hindered by 4 threads.
Gaming
The 8MB cache helps slightly, but the lack of Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading makes it unsuitable for gaming.
Even with a dedicated GPU, the lack of Hyper-Threading will cause severe stuttering in modern CPU-bound games.
Virtualization
8MB cache helps with VM context switching, but 4 threads is still a severe bottleneck.
4 threads are the absolute minimum for a host OS, leaving no room for a useful virtual machine.
Efficiency
Matches the i3-8100T's excellent efficiency profile.
The 14nm process is power-hungry compared to modern alternatives, drawing 65W for mediocre performance.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware.
- Fixed 3.2 GHz clock is too slow for meaningful inference.
- Lacks AVX-512 and any modern AI acceleration capabilities
Content Creation
Gaming
- Not intended for gaming.
- Fixed 3.2 GHz clock prevents acceptable frame rates in modern titles.
- 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
- 8MB L3 cache is larger than retail i3 alternatives
- 3.2 GHz fixed clock is 100 MHz higher than 8100T
- Low 35W power draw
- UHD Graphics 630 included
- Often cheap on the used market
Cons
- OEM-only, no retail warranty
- No Turbo Boost
- No Hyper-Threading
- Still only 4 threads
- DDR4-2400 memory limit
- PCIe 3.0 only
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 i3-8300T
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400TRival
OEM Low-Power
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GERival
Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100Rival
Standard Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GERival
Low-Power Desktop
The 10th gen successor adds Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost.
Compare head-to-headN/A
A Coffee Lake refresh option with better clocks.
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
A uniquely configured OEM chip that offers more cache than the retail i3-8100T. While still limited by no Turbo Boost or Hyper-Threading, the 8MB cache makes it the best performing 35W 8th gen i3.
Best for: Finding one salvaged from an OEM PC to use as a cheap LGA 1151v2 upgrade, as it outperforms the retail i3-8100T.
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 i3-8300T or Intel Core i3-9000?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-8300T comes out ahead with a score of 4.5/10. 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 i3-8300T or Intel Core i3-9000?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9000 leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i3-8300T and Intel Core i3-9000.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-8300T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-8300T (35 W), Intel Core i3-9000 (65 W).
Do Intel Core i3-8300T 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.