Core i3-8100 vs Core i7-8550U

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1342	1341
Place by popularity	not in top-100	90
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	5.74
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7	Intel Core i3
Architecture codename	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Release date	21 August 2017 (6 years ago)	24 September 2017 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$409	$117
Current price	$827 (2x MSRP)	$94 (0.8x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	4 (Quad-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	8	4
Base clock speed	1.8 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	3.6 GHz
Bus support	4 GT/s	4 × 8 GT/s
L1 cache	256 KB	256 KB
L2 cache	1 MB	1 MB
L3 cache	8 MB (shared)	6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Die size	123 mm2	126 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCBGA1356,FC-BGA1356	FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)	15 Watt	65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	+	no data
My WiFi	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	-
TSX	-	-
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
SIPP	no data	-
Smart Response	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	-
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	+
MPX	no data	+
Identity Protection	+	+
SGX	Yes with Intel® ME	Yes with Intel® ME
OS Guard	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100 are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	no data
VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR4-2400
Maximum memory size	32 GB	64 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	37.5 GB/s	37.5 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card Compare	Intel UHD Graphics 620	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Max video memory	32 GB	64 GB
Quick Sync Video	+	+
Clear Video	+	+
Clear Video HD	+	+
Graphics max frequency	1.15 GHz	1.1 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	3	3
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	no data
HDMI	+	no data
DVI	+	no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	+	+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096 x 2304@24Hz	4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDP	4096 x 2304@60Hz	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	4096 x 2304@60Hz	4096x2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12	12
OpenGL	4.4	4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100.

PCIe version	3.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	12	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Pros & cons summary

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Integrated graphics card	2.66	3.08
Recency	21 August 2017	24 September 2017
Threads	8	4
Cost	$409	$117
Power consumption (TDP)	15 Watt	65 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-8550U and Core i3-8100, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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