i3-8121U vs i7-8809G

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-8809G
2018
4 cores / 8 threads, 100 Watt
5.38
+94.9%
Core i3-8121U
2018
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
2.76

Core i7-8809G outperforms Core i3-8121U by an impressive 95% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking11621686
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i3
Power efficiency5.099.33
Architecture codenameKaby Lake G (2018)Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
Release date1 February 2018 (6 years ago)5 May 2018 (6 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed3.1 GHz2.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4.2 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0OPI
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s4 GT/s
Multiplier3122
L1 cache64K (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm10 nm
Die sizeno data123 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C105 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCBGA2270Intel BGA1440
Power consumption (TDP)100 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
QuickAssistno data-
Speed Shift++
My WiFi++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Smart Response++
Demand Based Switchingno data-
HD Audiono data+
RSTno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX++
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® ME-
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
VT-ino data-
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2400DDR4
Maximum memory size64 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth38.397 GB/s38.397 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 630Iris Pro Plus
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
DVI+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160 @30Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2160 @60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2160 @60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.4no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes816

Synthetic benchmark performance

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


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.

i7-8809G 5.38
+94.9%
i3-8121U 2.76

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-8809G 8543
+94.6%
i3-8121U 4391

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-8809G 1405
+20.6%
i3-8121U 1165

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-8809G 4610
+94.8%
i3-8121U 2367

3DMark06 CPU

3DMark06 is a discontinued DirectX 9 benchmark suite from Futuremark. Its CPU part contains two scenarios, one dedicated to artificial intelligence pathfinding, another to game physics using PhysX package.

i7-8809G 8837
+105%
i3-8121U 4314

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

i7-8809G 865
+172%
i3-8121U 318

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

i7-8809G 179
+34.6%
i3-8121U 133

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.38 2.76
Recency 1 February 2018 5 May 2018
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 14 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 100 Watt 15 Watt

i7-8809G has a 94.9% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i3-8121U, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 3 months, a 40% more advanced lithography process, and 566.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-8809G is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-8121U in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-8809G and Core i3-8121U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-8809G
Core i7-8809G
Intel Core i3-8121U
Core i3-8121U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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