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Intel Core i3-8020

Intel Core i3-8020

Intel Core i3-8020: A Budget Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025

Updated: April 2025

Key Features: Coffee Lake Architecture and Efficiency Balance

The Intel Core i3-8020, released in 2018, remains popular in the budget segment due to its reliability and low cost. It is built on the Coffee Lake architecture with a 14nm manufacturing process, providing moderate power consumption (TDP of 51W) and sufficient performance for basic tasks.

Key Specifications:

- 4 cores/4 threads without Hyper-Threading support.

- Base clock speed — 3.0 GHz (no turbo mode).

- 6 MB L3 cache and integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (base clock 350 MHz, peak — 1.15 GHz).

Processor Highlights:

- Optimized for office tasks — quick performance with browsers and office applications.

- Energy efficiency — suitable for compact PCs and systems with passive cooling.

- 4K video support via DisplayPort/HDMI (limited to 60Hz).

Compatible Motherboards: LGA 1151 Socket and 300 Series Chipsets

The processor uses the LGA 1151 (v2) socket but requires motherboards with H310, B360, H370, Z370, or Z390 chipsets.

Motherboard Selection Recommendations:

- B360 — the optimal choice for most users: supports DDR4-2666, USB 3.1 Gen2, M.2 NVMe.

- H310 — the most budget-friendly board but with limitations: 2 RAM slots, no PCIe 3.0 for SSDs.

- Z390 — for enthusiasts: memory overclocking, more ports.

Important: Motherboards with H310 and B360 chipsets do not support processor overclocking.

Example Models (2025):

- ASUS Prime B360M-A ($75–$90) — reliable basic board with VRM cooling.

- Gigabyte H310M S2H ($55–$65) — minimal features for an office PC.

Supported Memory: DDR4 with Limitations

The Core i3-8020 works with DDR4-2400/2666 MHz (depends on the chipset). Maximum capacity is 64 GB (2 modules of 32 GB).

Features:

- No DDR5 support — this is the main downside for upgrades in 2025.

- For everyday tasks, 8–16 GB is sufficient (e.g., Kingston Fury DDR4-2666 16GB — $40–$50).

Tip: If using integrated graphics, choose a dual-channel configuration (2x8 GB instead of 1x16 GB) for a 15–20% performance boost.

Power Supply: Minimum of 400W

With a TDP of 51W, the processor does not require a powerful PSU, but it's important to consider other components:

- Without a discrete graphics card: 300–400W is sufficient (e.g., Be Quiet! System Power 10 — $45).

- With a GTX 1650-level graphics card: 450–500W is recommended (Corsair CX550 — $60).

Important: Cheap PSUs (less than $30) may operate unstably under load.

Pros and Cons: Who is i3-8020 Relevant for in 2025?

Pros:

- Price: New processors cost $100–$120 (in 2025).

- Energy efficiency: Suitable for mini-PCs and HTPCs.

- Integrated graphics — can run older games (e.g., CS:GO at 720p/60 fps).

Cons:

- 4 threads — multitasking weaker than Ryzen 3 with SMT.

- 14nm process — higher heat compared to 7nm competitors.

- No PCIe 4.0/5.0 support — a limitation for modern SSDs and graphics cards.

Use Cases: From Office to Light Gaming

1. Office Tasks

- Working with documents, video conferences, 10+ browser tabs.

Example: In 2025, the processor handles Microsoft Teams and Excel, but may lag when Photoshop is also open.

2. Multimedia

- Watching 4K videos, streaming Netflix, photo editing in Lightroom.

Limitation: Video rendering in DaVinci Resolve will be slow (better to use an external GPU).

3. Gaming

- UHD 630 can handle indie projects (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley) and older AAA titles (Skyrim, GTA V on low settings).

Comparison with Competitors: Ryzen 3 vs. Intel i3

- AMD Ryzen 3 5300G (2023, $130–$140):

- 4 cores/8 threads, Vega 8 (twice as powerful as UHD 630).

- Supports DDR4-3200.

- Conclusion: Better for gaming and multi-threaded tasks.

- Intel Core i3-12100 (2022, $150–$160):

- 4 cores/8 threads, 10nm process, UHD 730.

- Conclusion: More powerful but more expensive.

Final Verdict: The i3-8020 only wins on price. For gaming and multitasking, it's better to pay extra for Ryzen.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Choose B360 with M.2 for NVMe SSD (e.g., WD Blue SN580 500GB — $45).

2. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quiet operation, consider DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 V2 ($25).

3. Case: Mini cases like Fractal Design Core 500 ($70) are suitable for HTPCs.

4. Upgrade: If planning to add a graphics card, avoid models costing more than the RTX 3050 — the processor will be a "bottleneck."

Final Conclusion: Who is Core i3-8020 Suitable For?

This processor is a good choice if:

- Budget is limited ($300–$400 for the entire build).

- You need a PC for office work, study, or browsing.

- You plan to use the system as a media center or NAS.

Why not?

- For gaming, video editing, or AI work, it's better to get a Ryzen 3/5 or a modern i3/i5.

In 2025, the Core i3-8020 is a "workhorse" for undemanding users, but its time is nearing an end due to the lack of DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support. However, it remains a cost-effective option for the secondary market and office tasks.

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Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
September 2018
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
Core i3-8020
Code Name
Coffee Lake
Generation
Core i3 (Coffee Lake)

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
4
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
4
Basic Frequency
3.7 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
N/A
L1 Cache
64 KB (per core)
L2 Cache
256 KB (per core)
L3 Cache
6 MB (shared)
Multiplier Unlocked
No
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
Intel Socket 1151
Bus Frequency
100 MHz
Multiplier
37.0x
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14 nm
TDP
51 W
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
Dual-channel
ECC Memory
Yes

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
UHD Graphics 630