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Intel Core m3-8100Y

Intel Core m3-8100Y: Compact Energy Efficiency for Mobile Tasks

(Analysis valid as of April 2025)

1. Architecture and Process Technology: 14 nm in the Age of 3 nm

The Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, released in 2018, is still found in budget ultrabooks in 2025. Its Amber Lake Y architecture is based on an outdated 14-nm process, which contrasts with modern 3-nm chips from Apple and 4-nm solutions from AMD. However, this does not diminish its relevance in the compact device niche.

Key Features:

- 2 cores / 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

- Base frequency: 1.1 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz.

- Intel UHD Graphics 615: 24 execution units, frequency up to 900 MHz.

- Cache: 4 MB L3.

Architectural Features:

- Low Power Design: optimized for minimal energy consumption.

- Passive cooling: fanless in most devices.

- Integrated graphics: supports 4K@60 Hz via DisplayPort, but weak for modern gaming.

Why 14 nm in 2025?

Laptop manufacturers continue to use the m3-8100Y due to its low cost. For example, Chinese brands like Chuwi or Teclast include it in $300–400 convertible tablets, offering a “basic Windows gadget.”

2. TDP 5 W: Silence and Compactness at the Cost of Performance

The 5 W TDP (Thermal Design Power) is the main "trick" of the processor. This allows for:

- The elimination of a cooler, making the device thinner than 10 mm.

- Increasing battery life to 10–12 hours in devices with a 40–50 Wh battery.

Downside:

- Under prolonged load (e.g., video rendering), the frequency drops to the base 1.1 GHz due to overheating.

- In multitasking (running a browser, Word, and Zoom simultaneously), noticeable stutters occur.

3. Performance: What Can the Core m3-8100Y Do in 2025?

Office Work:

- Google Docs, Microsoft 365: perfect smoothness even with 10+ tabs in Chrome.

- Zoom/Teams: handles HD video calls well, but 4K or background filters cause lag.

Multimedia:

- 4K Video: hardware decoding via Quick Sync, playback without issues.

- Photo Editors: Lightroom Mobile — yes, Photoshop with heavy layers — no.

Gaming:

- CS2 (720p, low settings): 25–30 FPS with drops.

- Stardew Valley, Among Us: stable 60 FPS.

- Cloud Gaming: optimal option via Xbox Cloud or GeForce Now.

Turbo Boost: Short-Term Burst

In Turbo mode (up to 3.4 GHz), the processor speeds up application launches, but after 20–30 seconds, it reduces frequency. For example, opening a 50 MB PDF takes 2 seconds instead of 4, but exporting the same file to PDF/A will be slower than on a Core i3-1215U.

4. Use Cases: Who is the m3-8100Y Suitable For?

- Students: for note-taking, webinars, and Netflix.

- Office Workers: dealing with email, documents, and spreadsheets.

- Travelers: long battery life and weight under 1 kg.

Who Is Not Suitable:

- Gamers (except for cloud gaming).

- Designers and video editors.

- Users working with virtual machines.

5. Battery Life: How 5 W Affects Operating Time

In laptops with the m3-8100Y and a 45 Wh battery (e.g., Lenovo Yoga 730), the operating time reaches 10–12 hours with:

- Screen brightness at 150 nits.

- Active use of the browser and office applications.

Energy-Saving Technologies:

- Intel SpeedStep: dynamic frequency adjustment.

- C-States: powering down unused cores.

- Panel Self Refresh: reducing GPU load with static images.

Tip: Disable Turbo Boost in power settings for an additional 1–2 hours of operation.

6. Comparison with Competitors: AMD, Apple, and Previous Intel Generations

- AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4 cores, 15 W): 30% faster in multi-threaded tasks, but requires active cooling.

- Apple M1 (2020): 3–4 times higher performance with comparable TDP. Devices with M1 now start at $600 (new iPads).

- Intel Core i3-1115G4 (2020): dual-core, but with more powerful Iris Xe graphics.

Conclusion: The m3-8100Y falls behind modern counterparts but wins on price.

7. Pros and Cons: Balancing Capabilities

Strengths:

- Silent operation (no fan).

- Low device prices ($300–500).

- Support for Windows 11 and Linux.

Weaknesses:

- Outdated architecture.

- Limited multitasking.

- No support for PCIe 4.0 and Thunderbolt 4.

8. Recommendations for Laptop Selection

Types of Devices:

- Ultrabooks: for example, HP Pavilion Aero 11 (2025) for $450.

- Convertible Tablets: Chuwi HiPad X Pro with keyboard included ($320).

- Mini Notebooks: GPD Pocket 4 for compact lovers ($600).

What to Pay Attention To:

- RAM: at least 8 GB LPDDR3.

- Storage: SSD 256 GB (eMMC not recommended).

- Screen: IPS panel with Full HD resolution.

Advice: Avoid models with 4 GB RAM — Windows 11 will lag.

9. Final Conclusion: Who Is the m3-8100Y Made For?

The Intel Core m3-8100Y in 2025 is suitable for those who:

- Seek an extremely lightweight and quiet laptop.

- Are not willing to pay more than $500.

- Use the device for basic tasks.

Key Benefits: battery life, portability, affordability. If your needs do not exceed web surfing and document work — this processor is still relevant. However, for future upgrades, it's better to consider ARM models (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite) or Apple Silicon.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

July 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.

m3-8100Y

Code Name

Amber Lake Y

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

1.10 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.

3.40 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.40 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

CPU Socket

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

FCBGA1515

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

5 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.

LPDDR3-1866 | DDR3L-1600

Max Memory Size

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

16 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).

33.3 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® UHD Graphics 615

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.

900 MHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

16 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@24Hz

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.

3840x2160@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.

3840x2160@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 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

847

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

1340

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

655

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

1229

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1736

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

2874

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i3-10100Y

940 +11%

Xeon D-2123IT

894 +5.5%

Core m3-8100Y

847

Xeon E5-1680 v2

775 -8.5%

Xeon E5-2687W v2

722 -14.8%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i3-3250

1654 +23.4%

Core i7-1060NG7

1510 +12.7%

Core m3-8100Y

1340

Pentium G4400

1181 -11.9%

Xeon E5-2430 v2

1052 -21.5%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i5-2310

693 +5.8%

Xeon Gold 5218B

675 +3.1%

Core m3-8100Y

655

Xeon E5-2660 v3

630 -3.8%

Xeon E5-2689

609 -7%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Core i3-3225

1384 +12.6%

Athlon X4 750K

1315 +7%

Core m3-8100Y

1229

Pentium N4200

1145 -6.8%

Core i3-6006U

1068 -13.1%

Passmark CPU Single Core

EPYC 7551

1787 +2.9%

Core i7-4785T

1762 +1.5%

Core m3-8100Y

1736

Xeon Silver 4112

1707 -1.7%

Core i3-3250

1684 -3%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

A10-9700E

3171 +10.3%

PRO A10-8770E

3030 +5.4%

Core m3-8100Y

2874

Xeon E5607

2686 -6.5%

Core i5-5200U

2499 -13%