Question 1

Does this chip have turbo?

Accepted Answer

No Turbo. The CPU multiplier is limited to 36, thus no overclocking via the multiplier. Intel limits BCLK frequency to about 101 MHz. The highest I have seen on the internet is 104.7 MHz BCLK. I achieved 102.9 MHz, thus 36 multiplier x 102.9 MHz = 3704 MHz. Performance wise it is like i5-7500 yet cost less. My i3-8100 CPU Mark was 9066 @ 3704 MHz.

Question 2

Does this chip really only work with 2400 mhz RAM or is that just intel's recommendation?

Accepted Answer

It'll work with faster RAM.  Most motherboards should allow you to go up to a higher frequency kit.  Just keep in mind, there is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to the higher frequency kits with this particular processor.  I would recommend doing research into the memory speed kit you're looking at going with and make sure that the motherboard you're planning on pairing it with supports the memory speed you have in mind.

Question 3

Will this be good for an office pc?

Accepted Answer

More than enough, if you're building an office pc, even the Pentium would be comparable to an i3-6100. Both are dual core and multi threaded and the Pentium is substantially less.

I have an office PC running outlook, chrome, a soft phone, messenger, Adobe acrobat and QuickBooks all day with no hiccup on a kaby lake series Pentium.

Question 4

does this support windows 10 32 or 64 bit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It should support either one, but I don't even know if there is a 32bit version of Windows 10. 32 bit operating systems only support up to 4 GB RAM, so not much point in installing it. You can find a thousand articles about the differences.

Question 5

I have an I7 4790 and wanted to know if this I3 would be an upgrade at all?

Accepted Answer

I7 4790 has 8 logical cores (4 true and 4 hyper threading), this one only has 4 no hyper threading. The RAM will be faster but the compute capabilities are less. Only upgrade you would experience would be other items that come from having the newest platform, such as NVME boot capability (PCIe SSD in the M.2 slot) and faster RAM. Technically the CPU would be a downgrade but the other things would make a faster feeling system. Hope this helps.

Question 6

does it come with thermal paste?

Accepted Answer

yes it comes with thermal paste. the cooler is also adequate.  seemed to have a sort of grindy sound at first but not now.  must have needed a little break-in.  the stock cooler on these does seem a bit louder than earlier intel cpu's. if you can adjust the fan speed profile in your bios or motherobard software, then turn the fan all the way down until it reaches about 45 degrees and go up to about 50 and it will keep it cool and very quiet.

Question 7

will this support windows 7 ?

Accepted Answer

Windows 7 can be installed if you have all the drivers needed. Since most boards have eliminated the driver except the Z370 chipset you will not have a video driver or Lan and there is also a usb issue. There is a workaround software for the badger message that you processor is not supported and the lockout of Win 7 updates. 6 series processors are the last fully supported for 7. The newest AMD has the same blocks and hurdles.

Question 8

4 cores, 4 threads, 6mb cache. Is this really an i5?

Accepted Answer

In terms of the former standard, more or less. This generation, Coffee Lake, has changed things. i3's are now true quad cores, the i5 lineup is hexacore(6), and the i7s are 6(2 logical per physical) so 6 cores, 12 threads. They are also high clocked, with very strong single core performance, but they are being reported to run extremely hot, like the previous release.

Question 9

What is the total height of the fan & heatsink above the motherboard?  Needs to fit in a somewhat low-profile case.

Accepted Answer

according to puget systems, the stock intel cooler is 95 by 95 by 60 with 60 being the height.

newegg doesnt allow links sometimes in help requests but ill try and link the page.

------they removed the link.  they are afraid we might link a better deal so they take them out-----

not sure if this is the height above the board or what.  but the i3 8100 uses basically the same cooler that intel has been using for years (with some models having a copper base and some not.  they are all pretty much the same dimensions.

the current listing i see if for one hundred seventy 1 dollars.  thats more than double what i paid for mine way back when.  dont pay more than about 100 bux.  maybe 120 if you really need it.  171 is i5 territory.  i mean the i5 9400f goes for 135 all the time.  it doesn have built in graphics but there are other i5 chips

Question 10

why will the intel graphics driver not install for the 8100?

Accepted Answer

Do you have the integrated graphics disabled in the motherboard?

Questions & Answers