CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10400F vs Intel Core i3-10105
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor that disables integrated graphics, offering excellent value for budget gaming rigs equipped with a dedicated GPU.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles everyday applications and multitasking efficiently.
Easily handles word processing, spreadsheets, and web applications. Multi-threaded tasks like video encoding reveal its 4-core limitations.
Gaming
Excellent 1080p gaming performance when paired with a mid-range GPU.
When paired with a dedicated GPU, it can handle 1080p eSports titles well, but it will bottleneck more demanding modern AAA games.
Virtualization
Capable of running basic virtual machines.
Can run a lightweight VM or two, but 8 threads and 6MB of cache restrict complex virtualization setups.
Efficiency
Standard 14nm efficiency, adequate for a 65W TDP.
The 14nm process is less power-efficient than newer 10nm or 7nm competing chips, drawing more power per clock.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Basic CPU inference only
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 support found on higher-tier Comet Lake parts
- Suitable only for basic CPU-based inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Ideal for 1080p high-refresh gaming
- Pairs well with GTX 1660 Super or RTX 3060
- No integrated graphics means a GPU is mandatory
- Requires a dedicated GPU for any meaningful 3D gaming
- eSports titles like CS:GO and Valorant run smoothly
- CPU bottleneck becomes apparent in GPU-heavy 1080p scenarios
- 4 cores are becoming the strict minimum for modern titles
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- 6 cores and 12 threads
- Low 65W base TDP
- Wide motherboard compatibility
- Ideal for budget gaming
Cons
- No integrated graphics
- Locked multiplier
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
- Memory speed capped at 2666 MT/s natively
Pros
- Included UHD Graphics 630 for display flexibility
- Low 65W TDP keeps cooling simple
- Compatible with both 400 and 500 series motherboards
- Affordable on the used market
- Solid single-threaded performance for basic tasks
Cons
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
- Memory controller capped at DDR4-2666
- Only 6MB of L3 cache
- Older 14nm manufacturing process
- Outperformed by cheaper newer AMD alternatives
- No PCIe 4.0 support for modern NVMe drives
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-10400F
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Rival
Budget Gaming
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Budget Gaming
- Intel Core i3-10100FRival
Budget Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 3 3300XRival
Budget Gaming
Better IPC and PCIe 4.0 support on 500-series boards.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Significantly better gaming performance and efficiency.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Modern Alder Lake architecture with much better performance.
Cheaper, faster single-core, great for ultra-budget gaming.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-10105
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 3300XRival
Budget Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Intel Core i3-11100Rival
Next-Gen Budget
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
Saves money if a dedicated GPU is already planned for the build.
Compare head-to-headAdds 2 more cores for significantly better multi-threaded performance at a slightly higher price.
Compare head-to-headA massive architectural leap if upgrading to the LGA 1700 platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Far superior 6-core/12-thread performance for modern gaming and productivity.
Our Verdict on Each
By removing the integrated graphics, Intel created a highly affordable 6-core CPU that maximizes value for gamers who already own a discrete GPU.
Best for: The Intel Core i5-10400F is highly recommended for budget-conscious gamers building a 1080p system with a dedicated graphics card. By cutting out the integrated graphics, it saves money that can be better spent on a stronger GPU, making it an ideal pairing for cards like the GTX 1660 Super or RTX 3060. Its 6-core, 12-thread design ensures it won't bottleneck mid-range GPUs in most modern games. Because it is locked, you don't need to spend extra on Z-series motherboards or fancy coolers; a B460 board and stock cooling are perfectly adequate. It is perfect for students or first-time builders who want a reliable, plug-and-play experience. Avoid it only if you absolutely need integrated graphics as a fallback or if you plan on overclocking.
Read the full reviewA solid entry-level processor that served as a reliable budget option in 2021, though it is now outpaced by newer architectures and limited by PCIe 3.0 and DDR4-2666 memory speeds.
Best for: Upgrading an existing LGA 1200 system on a very tight budget where the CPU can be found used at a steep discount.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10400F or Intel Core i3-10105?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-10400F comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-10400F or Intel Core i3-10105?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-10400F leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core i5-10400F and Intel Core i3-10105.
Do Intel Core i5-10400F and Intel Core i3-10105 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1200 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-10400F has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-10400F (6 cores), Intel Core i3-10105 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-10400F posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10400F (14,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.