Intel Core i3-8100

Based on 2 reportsCPUIntelEntry-levelMost recent submission: Oct 27, 2026

The Intel Core i3-8100 runs at an average of 61.3°C under load based on 2 community submissions. The hottest 10% of submissions report temperatures above 64.5°C, while the coolest 10% stay below 58°C. Idle temperatures average 36.8°C.

Runs normal
Average load temp is in line with the typical entry-level baseline of 65°C.

Specifications

Manufacturer
Intel

Idle Temperature

36.8°C
Cool
Coolest 10%
34.0°C
Typical
34.0°C
Hottest 10%
39.5°C

Load Temperature

61.3°C
Normal
Coolest 10%
58.0°C
Typical
58.0°C
Hottest 10%
64.5°C

Load temperature distribution

50–60°C
1
60–70°C
1

Load Temperature Distribution

20°C60°C100°C
Coolest 10%: 58°CTypical: 58°CHottest 10%: 64.5°C

Is your temperature normal?

  • Below 58°C — cooler than 90% of submissions for this hardware. Excellent cooling.
  • Between 58°C and 64.5°C — within the typical range for this hardware.
  • Above 64.5°C — hotter than 90% of submissions. Worth investigating: thermal paste, cooler mount, dust, or case airflow.
  • Above 85°C — at or beyond the safe operating ceiling for this tier. Reduce load, check cooling, and consider professional inspection.

Submissions over time

2026-072026-10

Coolest Intel Core i3-8100 PCs

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Coldest run

58.0°C
Stock Cooler cooling·Oct 27, 2026

Hottest run

64.5°C
Stock Cooler cooling·Jul 22, 2026

What's normal for this tier?

Entry-level CPUs run cool by design — typically 55–75°C under load. Higher temperatures here usually point to a failing fan, dust buildup, or poor case airflow.

Ambient room temperature affects readings. Average reported ambient: 40°C.

Recent Submissions

DateCoolingIdleLoad
Oct 27, 2026Stock Cooler34.0°C58.0°C
Jul 22, 2026Stock Cooler39.5°C64.5°C

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal temperature for the Intel Core i3-8100?

Based on 2 community submissions, the Intel Core i3-8100 runs at an average idle temperature of 36.8°C and an average load temperature of 61.3°C. Anything between 58°C and 64.5°C under load is within the typical range for this hardware.

Is 61.3°C too hot for the Intel Core i3-8100?

The safe operating ceiling for entry-level CPUs like the Intel Core i3-8100 is around 85°C under sustained load. 61.3°C is within the safe operating range. If you're exceeding 85°C, check thermal paste, cooler mounting, dust buildup, and case airflow.

What is the best cooler for the Intel Core i3-8100?

For a 65W entry-level CPU like the Intel Core i3-8100, a quality 240mm AIO or a high-end dual-tower air cooler (Noctua NH-D15, Thermalright Phantom Spirit) is generally sufficient to keep load temperatures well within safe limits. Higher TDP variants (overclocked or PBO-enabled) benefit from 360mm AIO cooling.

Recommended Products

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Thermal Paste

Noctua NT-H2 10g, High-Performance Thermal Paste and 10 Cleaning Wipes

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CPU Cooler

Noctua NH-D15, Quiet High-Performance Dual Tower CPU Cooler

168mm Height, Enthusiast-Grade Low-Noise Cooling, 6 Heatpipes, For Intel & AMD, Dual 140mm Fans, Rich Accessory Kit

“Upgrading from stock cooling can significantly help reduce temperatures!”

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Other

ASUS The SFF-Ready Prime GeForce RTX™ 5070 OC Edition Graphics Card

The ASUS Prime RTX 5070 OC features a 2.5 slot design with a carefully arranged layout for the shroud, heatsink and heat pipes to let the three Axial-tech fans leverage chassis side-panel ventilation and deliver optimal thermal performance.

“Older GPU can cause lower framerates on certain games despite optimal cooling - maybe it's time for an upgrade!”

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