CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i3-10105
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-10100 is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor built on the 14nm Comet Lake architecture, bringing Hyper-Threading back to the desktop i3 tier with UHD Graphics 630 and a 65 W TDP.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Office work and web browsing are fast, but heavy multitasking will show the limitations of 4 cores.
Easily handles word processing, spreadsheets, and web applications. Multi-threaded tasks like video encoding reveal its 4-core limitations.
Gaming
Can handle 1080p gaming with a mid-range GPU, though it will bottleneck newer titles compared to 12th-gen alternatives.
When paired with a dedicated GPU, it can handle 1080p eSports titles well, but it will bottleneck more demanding modern AAA games.
Virtualization
Can run a single light VM, but 4 cores and 8 threads limit serious virtualization use.
Can run a lightweight VM or two, but 8 threads and 6MB of cache restrict complex virtualization setups.
Efficiency
The 14nm process is less power-efficient than modern 10nm alternatives, drawing more power for less performance.
The 14nm process is less power-efficient than newer 10nm or 7nm competing chips, drawing more power per clock.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 support found on mobile Tiger Lake chips
- Not suitable for AI workloads
- 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
- Playable in older and e-sports titles with a dedicated GPU
- Will bottleneck GPUs above the GTX 1660 Super / RX 580 tier in modern games
- Lacks the single-thread speed of newer architectures
- 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
- Hyper-Threading provides a usable 8-thread experience
- High 3.6 GHz base clock ensures sustained performance
- UHD 630 iGPU is reliable for basic display tasks
- Very easy to cool with a 65 W TDP
- LGA 1200 allows an upgrade path to 11th-gen parts
Cons
- Outdated 14nm manufacturing process
- Limited to DDR4-2666 memory speeds on this SKU
- Only supports PCIe 3.0, bottlenecking modern NVMe drives
- Small 6 MB L3 cache compared to modern chips
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions
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 i3-10100
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 3300XRival
Mainstream Budget
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AFRival
Value AM4
- Intel Core i3-9100Rival
Previous-Gen Budget
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Mid-Range AM4
A massive architectural upgrade for a similar price, offering PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Alt
6 cores and 12 threads provide much better multi-threaded performance on the AM4 platform.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Often available at a similar price point with 12 threads and superior multi-core performance.
A 6-core Comet Lake option that provides a much better upgrade path on the same LGA 1200 platform.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-10100FAlt
If you have a dedicated GPU, the F-variant saves money by removing the iGPU.
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
The i3-10100 was a solid budget chip in 2020 thanks to the return of Hyper-Threading, but it is now outdated, held back by PCIe 3.0, DDR4-2666 limits, and an aging 14nm process.
Best for: The i3-10100 only makes sense today if you are upgrading an existing LGA 1200 system on an extremely tight budget and can find the chip used for a very low price. It can also be considered if you are repairing an office PC that already uses an LGA 1200 motherboard and you just need a drop-in replacement. However, for any new build, it is obsolete. The i3-12100 offers a massive architectural leap for a similar price, featuring PCIe 5.0, DDR5 support, and dramatically higher single-core performance. Avoid building a new system around the 10100 entirely.
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 i3-10100 or Intel Core i3-10105?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-10100 comes out ahead with a score of 6.8/10. 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 i3-10100 or Intel Core i3-10105?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-10100 leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Intel Core i3-10100 and Intel Core i3-10105.
Do Intel Core i3-10100 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 is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-10100 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-10100 (7,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.