Quick Verdict
A product of Intel's core-count strategy, the i3-8100T traded clock speed and threading for low heat output. It was adequate for basic office work in tiny chassis but aged rapidly due to its lack of Turbo Boost.
Overview
Launch
2018
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
8th Gen Core i3 (Coffee Lake)
Market
Small Form Factor Desktop
The Intel Core i3-8100T is a 35W, 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor lacking both Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost, designed specifically for small form factor and low-noise OEM desktop PCs.
The Core i3-8100T marked the first time an i3 desktop processor featured 4 physical cores. However, to keep the TDP at 35W for small form factor (SFF) chassis, Intel removed Hyper-Threading and entirely disabled Turbo Boost, locking all 4 cores at a flat 3.1 GHz.
It launched at $117.
Specifications
Performance
4 cores handle standard office suites well, but heavy Excel macros or large datasets will show the lack of Turbo Boost.
4 threads without Hyper-Threading is the absolute minimum for any VM usage.
The locked 3.1 GHz clock prevents playable frame rates in modern CPU-heavy games, and OEM systems rarely include a GPU.
Very efficient due to the low 35W TDP and lack of power-hungry turbo frequency spikes.
- •Fixed 3.1 GHz clock is too low for modern games.
- •No Hyper-Threading limits background task handling.
- •UHD 630 is not for gaming.
- •No AI hardware.
- •Fixed 3.1 GHz clock provides poor inference performance.
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Coffee Lake
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-8100T uses the Coffee Lake die, which was a native 6-core design (for i5/i7). For the i3, Intel disabled two cores and half the L3 cache, leaving a 4-core, 6MB configuration. To meet the 35W TDP, Intel also disabled Hyper-Threading and cut off access to the Turbo Boost power controller.
CPU Design
4 active Skylake-derived cores running at a fixed 3.1 GHz multiplier (31x). Without Turbo Boost, the CPU does not request PL2 (turbo power) states; it simply draws a steady 35W (or 25W if configured down). Each core has 256KB of L2 cache, sharing 6MB of L3.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-2400. The memory speed is hardcoded for the i3 tier on the 300-series chipset.
PCIe & I/O
16 lanes of PCIe 3.0, typically configured as a single x16 slot or split into x8/x8 depending on the OEM motherboard.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier. Because Turbo Boost is disabled, BCLK overclocking is the only theoretical option, but it is highly unstable and unsupported.
- Doubled core count from 2 to 4
- Moved to LGA 1151v2 (300 series chipset required)
- UHD Graphics 630 replaces HD 630
- Added ECC memory support
Key Highlights
- Very low 35W power draw
- Predictable, constant 3.1 GHz performance
- 4 physical cores for multitasking
- Includes UHD 630 for display outputs
- Can be configured down to 25W
- No Turbo Boost (locked at 3.1 GHz)
- No Hyper-Threading (4 cores = 4 threads)
- Low 72°C Tcase limit restricts cooler options
- DDR4-2400 memory speed limit
- Outdated 14nm process
- Only PCIe 3.0
History
The i3-8100T was born out of AMD's Ryzen pressure and OEM thermal constraints. In 2017, AMD's Ryzen 3 1200 made the dual-core i3-7100 look embarrassing. Intel responded with Coffee Lake, adding two cores to the i3.
However, corporate IT departments buy millions of tiny desktop PCs (Dell Optiplex Micro, HP ProDesk Mini) that cannot dissipate 65W.</br></br>Intel couldn't just lower the voltage on the standard i3-8100 because its Turbo Boost algorithm relies on bursting above base power limits. To create a true 35W part, Intel had to fundamentally alter the CPU's behavior: disable Turbo Boost entirely and lock the clock at a fixed 3.
1 GHz. This created a very predictable chip that IT departments loved—no thermal throttling, no unexpected power spikes, just steady, silent operation. While enthusiasts mocked the lack of Turbo and Hyper-Threading, for a secretary running Word and Outlook in a tiny box under a desk, the i3-8100T was perfectly engineered.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Doubled core count from 2 to 4
- Moved to LGA 1151v2 (300 series chipset required)
- UHD Graphics 630 replaces HD 630
- Added ECC memory support
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Only if you are repairing an existing SFF PC and can find the chip for under $15 on the used market.
Avoid if…
- Building any new PC (even a cheap one)
- Using modern web browsers like Chrome with many tabs
- Running any application that relies on single-threaded bursts
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was one of the first Intel desktop chips to completely lack Turbo Boost since the feature became standard on Nehalem.
The $117 launch price was identical to the higher-clocked 65W i3-8100, meaning OEMs paid the same for a deliberately crippled chip.
Because it lacks Turbo Boost, its single-core performance is actually worse than the older, dual-core i3-7350K which boosted to 4.2 GHz.
It supports ECC memory, a feature usually reserved for Xeon or high-end desktop platforms.
The die inside is physically the same size as the 6-core i5-8400, just with disabled transistors.
People Also Ask
Does the i3-8100T have Turbo Boost?
No, it is one of the rare modern Intel chips that operates at a completely fixed 3.1 GHz clock speed.
Does the i3-8100T have Hyper-Threading?
No, it has 4 physical cores and 4 threads total.
What is the TDP of the i3-8100T?
35W, with a configurable TDP down to 25W.
Is the i3-8100T good for gaming?
No, the fixed 3.1 GHz clock is too low for modern games, and it lacks a powerful integrated GPU.
Can I use a standard i3-8100 in an SFF PC instead?
Physically yes, but the 65W TDP of the standard 8100 might overwhelm the tiny cooler designed for a 35W T-series chip.
What socket does the i3-8100T use?
LGA 1151 (v2), compatible only with 300-series motherboards (like B360 or H310).
Does it support DDR4-2666?
No, the i3 tier on Coffee Lake is hardcoded to DDR4-2400, even if faster RAM is installed.
What graphics does it have?
Intel UHD Graphics 630, running between 350 MHz and 1100 MHz.
Is the i3-8100T better than the i3-7100T?
Yes, significantly. It has 4 cores compared to the 7100T's 2 cores.
Can it run Windows 11?
Yes, if the motherboard has TPM 2.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the part number?
SR3Y8.
What is the max temperature?
72°C Tcase or 82°C TJ Max.
Does it support ECC memory?
Yes.
How much L3 cache?
6 MB.
What is the launch price?
$117.
Is it unlocked?
No.
How many PCIe lanes?
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
When was it released?
April 2, 2018.
Can I upgrade it to an i5?
Yes, you can typically swap it for an LGA 1151v2 Coffee Lake i5 or i7, provided the BIOS supports it and the cooler can handle the heat.
Why is there no turbo?
Intel disabled Turbo Boost to strictly cap the power draw at 35W for small form factor thermal designs.