Intel BX80684I38100 Core i3-8100 Desktop Processor 3.6 GHz

Name: Intel BX80684I38100 Core i3-8100 Desktop Processor 3.6 GHz
Brand: Intel
SKU: BX80684I38100

Overview

The Intel Core i3-8100 is a four-core, four-thread Coffee Lake desktop processor operating at a fixed 3.6 GHz with 6 MB of L3 cache and a 65W TDP. What those numbers mean in practice: every core runs at full speed immediately — there is no boost algorithm, no thermal headroom management, and no clock variance between lightly and heavily threaded workloads. The 6 MB L3 is adequate for the instruction footprint of productivity and browser-based tasks. At 65W, the CPU fits into budget motherboards and compact chassis without requiring premium VRM cooling or high-CFM airflow.

The i3-8100 is purpose-built for cost-conscious system integrators, small business workstation builds, and HTPC deployments where consistency matters more than peak throughput. Paired with 8–16 GB of DDR4-2400 in dual-channel and a NVMe boot drive, it handles web, Office, video conferencing, and 1080p media playback without complaint. It is not the right choice for video encoding, virtualization, or any workflow that benefits from more than four simultaneous threads. For those use cases, the thread-count ceiling becomes a measurable bottleneck. Within its intended envelope, however, the i3-8100 remains a reliable, thermally well-behaved CPU that delivers exactly the performance its specifications predict.

Specifications

Model

BX80684I38100

Architecture

Coffee Lake (8th Gen)

Core / Thread Count

4 Cores / 4 Threads

Base Clock

3.6 GHz (locked)

L3 Cache

6 MB

Socket

LGA 1151 (300-series)

TDP

65W

Memory Support

DDR4-2400, up to 64 GB

Integrated Graphics

Intel UHD Graphics 630

Overclocking

No (locked multiplier)

Similar Products

Other products from the same family that visitors often consider:

✓ Available

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Fixed 3.6 GHz all-core clock delivers predictable, consistent throughput — no variance from boost binning.
Four physical cores handle light multitasking and dual-monitor productivity without context-switch bottlenecks.
65W TDP keeps platform power and thermal requirements minimal, suitable for small-form-factor cases.
Intel UHD Graphics 630 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic office or HTPC deployments.
Broad compatibility across B360, H370, Z370, and Z390 motherboards gives flexible platform options.

👎 Cons

No Hyper-Threading means four threads total — applications that scale beyond four threads see a hard ceiling compared to competing quad-core/eight-thread parts.
Locked multiplier removes all overclocking potential; performance is fixed at 3.6 GHz regardless of board or BIOS.
Coffee Lake architecture is end-of-life on LGA 1151 — no upgrade path beyond 9th-gen Coffee Lake Refresh without a new platform.
No PCIe 4.0 or DDR5 support; bandwidth-constrained relative to current-generation platforms for storage-heavy workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What socket does the Core i3-8100 use, and which motherboards are compatible?

LGA 1151 (300-series). The i3-8100 requires a 300-series chipset motherboard — B360, H370, Z370, or Z390. It will not POST on 100- or 200-series boards, even though the socket is physically the same shape.

Does the i3-8100 support overclocking?

No. The i3-8100 has a locked multiplier and runs at a fixed 3.6 GHz across all four cores. There is no boost clock and no headroom for multiplier-based overclocking, even on Z370/Z390 boards.

What RAM does the i3-8100 officially support, and is XMP compatible?

The i3-8100 officially supports DDR4-2400 in dual-channel up to 64 GB. XMP profiles above 2400 MHz require a Z-series board and BIOS support; the CPU itself does not natively guarantee stability above spec.

Is the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 sufficient for a monitor-only build without a discrete GPU?

For 1080p desktop use, basic video playback, and light work in applications like Chrome or Office, yes. The UHD 630 shares system RAM and has no dedicated VRAM, so it is not suitable for gaming or GPU-accelerated creative workloads.

Does the i3-8100 include a cooler in the box?

Yes. Intel includes a 65W-rated boxed cooler. Under sustained load the boxed cooler keeps temperatures acceptable, but the fan ramps audibly under prolonged CPU pressure.