Intel Core i3-8020 socket: LGA 1151

What the Core i3-8020 is

The Core i3-8020 is a four core, four thread desktop processor with a fixed 3.7 GHz clock and no turbo step. It carries 6 MB of shared L3 cache on the 14 nm process with a 126 square mm die. The TechPowerUp database lists part number SR3XM with a September 1, 2018 release and a 51 W TDP, which matches the 51 W in the master model list.

One aggregator page lists 65 W for the same SKU, against 51 W in both the database and the model list. This page follows the database value since it pairs the wattage with a part number and die size. The lower TDP suits small office towers with modest cooling.

UHD Graphics 630 covers office displays without a separate card. ECC memory is listed as supported, which helps small workstations that run long jobs. The multiplier is locked at 37 times the 100 MHz base clock.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 8020 fits LGA 1151 revision 2 on 300 series motherboards such as H310, B360 and H370. The database entry names the Intel 300 Series as its chipset. Boards sold in late 2018 accept it with the shipping BIOS where the maker lists the part.

It does not fit 100 or 200 series boards, which are revision 1 for 6th and 7th Gen chips. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide explains why the two revisions do not mix despite the shared socket name.

Small form factor buyers gain the most from the 51 W rating, since heat and noise stay below the 65 W quad cores. Confirm the board BIOS lists the 8020 before ordering, because some early 300 series releases predate this SKU. The Intel Core i3-9100 is a nearby 65 W alternative with wider board listings.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR4 in two channels at up to 2400 MT/s, with about 38.4 GB per sec of bandwidth. ECC is listed as supported, so workstation boards that wire it can correct single bit errors. Two matched sticks give dual channel speed for office multitasking and light workstation loads.

PCI Express arrives as version 3.0 with 16 lanes from the CPU for graphics and storage. A single NVMe drive and a low profile graphics card fit the lane budget of a compact tower. Cooling uses the shared 75 mm LGA 1151 pattern at 51 W, so small stock coolers cope well.

Upgrade paths

On the same socket the step up is a six core chip such as the Intel Core i5-8400 where threaded work matters, keeping the board and DDR4. The 8020 keeps its place where a cool fixed clock quad core covers office work. A used H310 board with this chip makes a quiet basic tower.

Moving past LGA 1151 to LGA 1200 needs a new board, since no 8th Gen chip fits the newer socket. Office buyers usually add memory or an SSD before replacing the processor.