Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i3-8100

The i3-10100 was a solid budget chip in 2020 thanks to the return of Hyper-Threading, but it is now outdated, held back by PCIe 3.0, DDR4-2666 limits, and an aging 14nm process.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 However, for any new build, it is obsolete.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.

A landmark chip in 2017 for bringing quad-core computing to the masses, but thoroughly outclassed by modern budget processors in every metric.

Best for: The only justifiable scenario for purchasing an Intel Core i3-8100 today is if you are repairing an existing LGA 1151 v2 system (like an office PC or a hand-me-down) and can find the CPU for under $20 on the used market. Even then, you must consider that the 8100 lacks Hyper-Threading, which severely limits its longevity in modern operating systems that are increasingly optimized for 8 or more threads. If you are building a new system, even the absolute cheapest new motherboard and CPU combo from AMD or Intel's 12th/13th gen will offer exponentially better performance, efficiency, and platform features like PCIe 4.0 or DDR5. Do not buy this CPU for gaming, as the lack of Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading will cause severe stuttering in modern titles compared to a modern Ryzen 3.