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Intel Core i3-8109U

Intel Core i3-8109U: Review and Practical Recommendations for Users in 2025

April 2025

Introduction

The Intel Core i3-8109U is a processor released during the era of Intel's 14nm process technology dominance. Although the market is now dominated by chips utilizing 5nm and 3nm architectures, this CPU can still be found in budget laptops and ultrabooks. In this article, we will determine who might benefit from the i3-8109U in 2025, how it performs on modern tasks, and what to pay attention to when purchasing a device with this processor.

Architecture and Process Technology

Coffee Lake on 14nm: Outdated, but Functional Platform

The Core i3-8109U belongs to the Coffee Lake generation (2018-2019) and is manufactured using a 14nm process. This is one of Intel's last architectures before transitioning to hybrid chips (like Alder Lake).

- Cores and Threads: 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading support (4 threads).

- Frequencies: Base frequency is 3.0 GHz, with no turbo mode.

- Cache: L3 cache is 4 MB, which is modest even for its time.

Integrated Graphics Intel Iris Plus 655

The main advantage of this processor is the integrated Iris Plus 655 graphics:

- 48 Execution Units (EUs);

- Frequency up to 1.1 GHz;

- Support for 4K@60Hz via DisplayPort/HDMI;

- Quick Sync Video technology for accelerated video encoding.

Important: Iris Plus 655 is significantly more powerful than the base UHD 620 graphics, allowing for light video editing or running older games.

Power Consumption and TDP

TDP 28W: Balancing Performance and Heat

The TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 28W means that the processor is designed for systems with active cooling (fan + heat sink). Compared to modern 15W chips (such as the Intel Core i5-1235U), the i3-8109U consumes almost double the power, which affects battery life.

Practical tip: Laptops with this CPU often come with large heat sinks. Check reviews regarding cooling noise, as many budget models in 2025 still utilize older cooling schemes.

Performance in Real-World Tasks

Office and Multitasking

- Office Applications (Word, Excel): Runs smoothly even with heavy spreadsheets.

- Web Browsing: 10-15 tabs in Chrome is the limit. When actively using YouTube or Zoom, there may be lags.

- Graphic Editors: Photoshop and Lightroom (basic retouching) — acceptable, but the system may "think" when using filters and layers.

Multimedia

- 4K Video: Playback through VLC or MPC-HC is smooth thanks to hardware decoding.

- Editing: In DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro, rendering a 1080p clip will take 2-3 times longer than on a modern i5.

Gaming

Iris Plus 655 handles 2010s games at low settings:

- CS:GO: 720p, low settings — 40-50 FPS.

- GTA V: 720p, minimum settings — 25-30 FPS.

- Indie Projects (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley): 60 FPS without issues.

Turbo Mode: None — fixed frequency of 3.0 GHz. Under prolonged loads, throttling may occur due to overheating.

Use Scenarios

This processor is suitable for:

1. Students — for working with texts, presentations, and online courses.

2. Office Workers — if heavy BI tools or 3D modeling are not required.

3. Home Users — for watching movies, social media, and simple photo editing.

Not suitable for:

- Gamers (except for retro games).

- Video editors and 3D designers.

- Those working with neural networks or Big Data.

Battery Life

How TDP Affects Runtime?

Laptops with the i3-8109U in 2025 come equipped with batteries ranging from 40-50 Wh. Actual runtime:

- Web browsing: 5-6 hours.

- HD video: 4-5 hours.

- Maximum load: 1.5-2 hours.

Energy-Saving Technologies:

- Intel SpeedStep — dynamic frequency management.

- Power saving mode (available in Windows/Linux settings).

Tip: Look for models with additional battery cells (e.g., ASUS VivoBook 15 X512DA) — their battery life can reach 7-8 hours.

Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 3 3300U (2019)

- Pros: 4 cores, Vega 6 graphics (more powerful than Iris Plus 655).

- Cons: Higher heat output, less frequently found in new laptops in 2025.

Apple M1 (2020)

- Pros: 3-4 times higher performance, 18 hours of battery life.

- Cons: Price (laptops with M1 start from $800, while devices with i3-8109U start from $500).

Intel Core i5-10210U (2019)

- Pros: 4 cores, supports Turbo Boost (up to 4.2 GHz).

- Cons: UHD 620 graphics are weaker than Iris Plus 655.

Conclusion: The i3-8109U excels in graphics but falls short in multi-threaded tasks.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Powerful integrated graphics for its class.

- Adequate performance for basic tasks.

- Low cost of laptops (from $500).

Weaknesses:

- Only 2 cores — multitasking capabilities are limited.

- High TDP for 2025.

- Outdated 14nm process technology.

Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop

1. Device Type: Ultrabooks with a screen size of 13-15 inches (e.g., Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5).

2. RAM: At least 8 GB (better to have 16 GB for graphic work).

3. Storage: Only SSD (256 GB and up).

4. Display: Full HD (1920×1080) — 4K doesn’t make sense due to weak graphics.

5. Prices: In 2025, new laptops with i3-8109U are priced between $500-$700.

Caution: Avoid models with HDDs and 4 GB of RAM — this will create a "bottleneck" even for this processor.

Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i3-8109U in 2025 is a choice for those who need an affordable laptop for basic tasks. Its advantages include:

- Low price.

- Good graphics for less demanding gaming and video editing.

- Reliability of a proven architecture.

Suitable for:

- Students.

- Office workers.

- Users needing a second laptop for travel.

If your budget allows for $700-$1000, it’s better to choose a device based on Apple M1 or AMD Ryzen 5 5500U. However, for modest tasks, the i3-8109U remains a practical option.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

April 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.

i3-8109U

Code Name

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).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

3.00 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.

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

L3 Cache

4 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1528

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

28 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

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.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

1x4 | 2x2 | 1x2+2x1 and 4x1

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.

DDR4-2400 | LPDDR3-2133

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

32 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

4 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

37.5 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

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.

Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics 655

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

300 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.05 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

32 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@30Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

4096x2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

4 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel Clear Video Technology

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.5

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1165

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

2402

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

922

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

2074

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2124

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

4247

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i5-9500T

1236 +6.1%

Core i7-5820K

1197 +2.7%

Core i3-8109U

1165

Core i7-6567U

1127 -3.3%

Core i3-4330

1092 -6.3%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i7-10510Y

2906 +21%

Ryzen Embedded R2514

2594 +8%

Core i3-8109U

2402

Core i3-4330

2151 -10.4%

FX-9370

1974 -17.8%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i5-5675C

959 +4%

Xeon Gold 6238T

937 +1.6%

Core i3-8109U

922

Xeon Gold 6128

904 -2%

EPYC 7502P

888 -3.7%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Core i5-2500

2402 +15.8%

Xeon E5-2407

2230 +7.5%

Core i3-8109U

2074

Xeon E3-1284L v4

1937 -6.6%

Athlon PRO 300GE

1821 -12.2%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon E5-2667 v4

2178 +2.5%

Xeon E3-1231 v3

2150 +1.2%

Core i3-8109U

2124

Ryzen Embedded R2544

2102 -1%

Core i5-7440HQ

2077 -2.2%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i7-3632QM

4672 +10%

Core i5-4670T

4433 +4.4%

Core i3-8109U

4247

Athlon Gold 3150U

4012 -5.5%

Core i3-8145U

3794 -10.7%