Quick Verdict
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.
Overview
Launch
2018
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
8th Gen Core i3 (Coffee Lake)
Market
OEM Small Form Factor
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 Core i3-8300T was never sold at retail but was used by OEMs like HP and Dell for higher-end SFF builds. Like the 8100T, it has 4 cores, 4 threads, and no Turbo Boost. However, it runs at a slightly higher 3.
2 GHz and features 8MB of L3 cache instead of 6MB, indicating it is a harvested 6-core i5 die. It launched at $138.
Specifications
Performance
The larger cache makes desktop interactions and application loading feel slightly snappier than the 6MB 8100T.
8MB cache helps with VM context switching, but 4 threads is still a severe bottleneck.
The 8MB cache helps slightly, but the lack of Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading makes it unsuitable for gaming.
Matches the i3-8100T's excellent efficiency profile.
- •Not intended for gaming.
- •Fixed 3.2 GHz clock prevents acceptable frame rates in modern titles.
- •No AI hardware.
- •Fixed 3.2 GHz clock is too slow for meaningful inference.
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Coffee Lake
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-8300T is architecturally identical to the i5-8400T, except two physical cores are disabled. However, unlike the i3-8100T which uses a die that may have native 4-core layouts, the 8300T retains the full 8MB L3 cache of the 6-core die.
CPU Design
4 active Skylake cores without Hyper-Threading. The ring bus interconnect now only has to service 4 cores, meaning the 8MB cache has lower contention than on a 6-core chip. It operates at a fixed 3.2 GHz multiplier (32x).
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-2400.
PCIe & I/O
16 lanes of PCIe 3.0.
Overclocking
Locked. The disabled Turbo Boost means no PL2 power states are requested by the CPU.
- Doubled core count from 2 to 4
- 8MB cache (vs 4MB on 7300T)
- UHD Graphics 630
- New LGA 1151v2 socket
Key Highlights
- 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
- OEM-only, no retail warranty
- No Turbo Boost
- No Hyper-Threading
- Still only 4 threads
- DDR4-2400 memory limit
- PCIe 3.0 only
History
The strategy was brilliant in its simplicity: take a 6-core die that has a minor defect in one or two cores, disable those cores, but leave the full 8MB cache intact.<br><br>This allowed OEMs...
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Doubled core count from 2 to 4
- 8MB cache (vs 4MB on 7300T)
- UHD Graphics 630
- New LGA 1151v2 socket
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Finding one salvaged from an OEM PC to use as a cheap LGA 1151v2 upgrade, as it outperforms the retail i3-8100T.
Avoid if…
- Buying new from third-party sellers at inflated prices
- Building a new system
- Needing more than 4 threads
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It has more L3 cache (8MB) than threads (4), a rare ratio for a low-end chip.
The $138 launch price was only $21 more than the i3-8100T, making it an easy upsell for OEMs.
Because it is a harvested i5 die, the physical chip is larger and has more transistors than the retail i3-8100.
The 8MB cache makes it perform closer to an i5-8400 in cache-heavy benchmarks, despite having two fewer cores.
People Also Ask
What is the difference between i3-8100T and i3-8300T?
The i3-8300T has a 100 MHz higher clock (3.2 vs 3.1 GHz) and 33% more L3 cache (8MB vs 6MB).
Can I buy the Intel Core i3-8300T?
It was an OEM-exclusive part and is only available on the used market, salvaged from pre-built PCs.
Why does the i3-8300T have 8MB of cache?
It is manufactured on the same 6-core silicon as the i5, with two cores disabled but the cache left intact.
Does the i3-8300T have Turbo Boost?
No, like the 8100T, it operates at a fixed 3.2 GHz.
Does it have Hyper-Threading?
No, 4 cores and 4 threads only.
What is the TDP?
35W, configurable down to 25W.
Is it faster than the i3-8100?
No, the standard 65W i3-8100 has Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz, giving it much better single-core performance.
Will it work in a B360 motherboard?
Yes, it uses the standard LGA 1151v2 socket and is compatible with 300-series chipsets.
What is the part number?
SR3Y1.
Is it good for a budget gaming build?
No, the lack of Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading severely limits gaming performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What graphics does it have?
UHD Graphics 630 (350-1100 MHz).
Does it support ECC memory?
Yes.
What is the max temperature?
72°C Tcase / 82°C TJ Max.
How many PCIe lanes?
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
What RAM speed?
DDR4-2400.
When was it released?
April 2, 2018.
What is the launch price?
$138.
Can I overclock it?
No.
What socket?
LGA 1151.
Does it support TSX?
Yes, it retains TSX instructions.