Quick Verdict
Historically significant for being Intel's first 10nm mobile i3 with hardware security fixes, but its 2-core layout and high $281 launch price make it entirely obsolete for modern computing.
Overview
Launch
2018
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
8th Gen Core i3 (Whiskey Lake-U)
Market
Mainstream Laptop
The Intel Core i3-8145U is a 2-core, 4-thread thin-and-light laptop processor launched in late 2018 for $281, utilizing the 10nm Whiskey Lake architecture with built-in hardware security mitigations.
The Core i3-8145U succeeded the i3-8130U, moving to Intel's 10nm process. It retained the 2-core, 4-thread layout but increased the boost clock to 3.9 GHz and, most importantly, integrated hardware fixes for Spectre and Meltdown.
Launching at a premium $281, it was primarily found in mid-range business laptops.
Specifications
Performance
Adequate for a single Word or Excel window, but modern heavy web applications will saturate the 4 threads quickly.
4 threads and 4MB cache make virtualization practically impossible for anything beyond a tiny Linux container.
Not capable of modern gaming. UHD 620 can only handle very old or lightweight 2D games.
The 10nm process provided good idle battery life for 2018-era laptops, though sustained loads drain the battery quickly due to the low core count.
- •UHD 620 is not a gaming GPU.
- •2 cores cannot feed modern game engines.
- •Playable only in legacy eSports titles at lowest settings.
- •No AI hardware.
- •2 cores are insufficient for any modern AI workload.
Architecture
10nm
Process Node
Whiskey Lake-U
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
4 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Whiskey Lake was an architectural holding pattern. It utilized the exact same Skylake CPU execution units and UHD Graphics 620 Gen 9.5 architecture as Kaby Lake R, but moved them to the 10nm process node. The real 'architecture' changes were in the uncore: integrating the Wi-Fi MAC, improving the memory controller's resilience, and hardening the silicon against attacks.
CPU Design
2 Skylake-derived cores with Hyper-Threading (4 threads total). The ring bus interconnect connects them to 4MB of shared L3 cache. The 2.1 GHz base clock is quite low to stay within 15W, but Speed Shift 2.0 allows the chip to ramp to its 3.9 GHz single-core boost almost instantly.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-2400 or LPDDR3-2133. The lack of LPDDR4/4x support was a significant liability, as competing AMD chips and later Intel Ice Lake chips utilized faster, more power-efficient LPDDR4X.
PCIe & I/O
16 lanes of PCIe 3.0, sufficient for a single NVMe boot drive.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier. Power limits are controlled by the laptop manufacturer.
- 10nm process (from 14nm+)
- Hardware mitigations for Spectre/Meltdown
- Higher boost clock (3.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz)
- Integrated Wi-Fi 6 CNVi support
Key Highlights
- Hardware security fixes out of the box
- 10nm power efficiency for its era
- High 3.9 GHz single-core boost
- Configurable TDP for different chassis sizes
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- Very high $281 launch price for a dual-core
- Lacks LPDDR4 support
- UHD 620 graphics are obsolete
- Completely outclassed by modern ARM chips
History
The Core i3-8145U launched into a perfect storm of security panic and competitive pressure. In early 2018, the Meltdown and Spectre flaws shattered the illusion of CPU isolation. Intel's initial software patches caused massive performance drops in enterprise environments.
Whiskey Lake, released in late 2018, was the company's emergency response packaged as a new generation.</br></br>By integrating the mitigations directly into the silicon, Intel promised to restore the lost performance while keeping systems secure. Business laptops, which are highly lucrative for Intel, were the primary target.
OEMs like Lenovo and Dell snapped up the i3-8145U for their ThinkPad and Latitude lines, using the 'Hardware Enhanced Security' as a major marketing bullet point. However, the $281 price tag was tough to swallow for a chip that still only had 2 cores, especially since AMD's Ryzen-powered laptops were starting to offer 4 cores at lower prices. The i3-8145U represents a transitional, defensive product—technically interesting for its 10nm node, but ultimately a stopgap before the more radical Ice Lake redesign.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 10nm process (from 14nm+)
- Hardware mitigations for Spectre/Meltdown
- Higher boost clock (3.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz)
- Integrated Wi-Fi 6 CNVi support
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Only if repairing an existing laptop that uses this specific chip and the board is not compatible with newer generations.
Avoid if…
- Purchasing any laptop for daily driver use in 2024 or later
- Running modern web browsers with multiple tabs
- Any form of multitasking
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The $281 launch price was higher than some 4-core 8th gen desktop i3s, highlighting the 'mobile tax' and the premium placed on the 10nm security fixes.
It had multiple part numbers (SRFFZ, SRD1W, SRD1V) likely corresponding to different binning or packaging distributions.
Whiskey Lake's 10nm process was technically less dense than originally planned for Cannonlake, but offered better yields.
The 'U' in this generation actually had a 10W cTDP down option, a first for standard mobile i3s.
Despite being 10nm, it did not support DL Boost (VNNI) which was reserved for Ice Lake.
People Also Ask
Is the Intel Core i3-8145U good for gaming?
No, its 2-core setup and UHD 620 graphics cannot handle modern games.
How many cores does the i3-8145U have?
2 physical cores and 4 logical threads.
What generation is the i3-8145U?
It is an 8th Generation Intel processor, specifically the Whiskey Lake refresh.
Why was the i3-8145U so expensive?
The $281 price reflected the cost of the new 10nm silicon and the premium placed on the hardware-level security mitigations for enterprise buyers.
Can the i3-8145U run Windows 11?
Yes, if the laptop motherboard has a TPM 2.0 module, it meets the minimum requirements.
Does the i3-8145U support LPDDR4?
No, it only supports DDR4-2400 and LPDDR3-2133.
What is the TDP of the i3-8145U?
15W base, configurable between 10W and 25W.
Is it a 10nm chip?
Yes, Whiskey Lake was Intel's first mass-produced 10nm architecture.
What graphics does it have?
Intel UHD Graphics 620 with a max dynamic frequency of 1000 MHz.
Can I upgrade an i3-8145U laptop?
No, the CPU is soldered to the motherboard (BGA 1528).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the max boost clock?
3.9 GHz.
What is the base clock?
2.1 GHz.
How much L3 cache?
4 MB.
Does it support Wi-Fi 6?
It supports Intel CNVi, which enables Wi-Fi 6 if the appropriate Intel AX module is installed.
What socket is it?
BGA 1528.
Is it still produced?
No, it is listed as End-of-Life.
What are the part numbers?
SRFFZ, SRD1W, and SRD1V.
Does it have Hyper-Threading?
Yes.
What is the max temperature?
100°C TJ Max.
Can it output to 4K displays?
Yes, the UHD 620 can drive 4K@60Hz over DisplayPort, but only 4K@30Hz over HDMI 1.4 (depending on laptop ports).