CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i5-5675R
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.
3.6GHz turbo boost provides good single-thread performance for office apps.
Gaming
Can handle 1080p gaming with a mid-range GPU, though it will bottleneck newer titles compared to 12th-gen alternatives.
Iris Pro 6200 handles older games and eSports titles well at 1080p.
Virtualization
Can run a single light VM, but 4 cores and 8 threads limit serious virtualization use.
Adequate for light VMs but limited by DDR3 and 4 threads.
Efficiency
The 14nm process is less power-efficient than modern 10nm alternatives, drawing more power for less performance.
14nm Broadwell is efficient within its 65W thermal envelope.
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
- DDR3 bandwidth bottlenecks execution units
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
- Similar iGPU performance to the i5-5675C
- Can play CS:GO and Dota 2 comfortably
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming
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- Outdated 14nm manufacturing process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
- Strong integrated graphics performance
- High 3.6 GHz turbo boost for single-thread tasks
- 65W TDP is great for small form factors
- Includes 128MB eDRAM cache
Cons
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- Limited to DDR3 memory
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- Difficult to find as a standalone part
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 i5-5675R
- AMD A10-7870KRival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5575RRival
Desktop BGA
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-5775RRival
Desktop BGA
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5675CRival
Desktop Socketed
- AMD A8-7670KRival
Desktop APU
- Intel NUC 11 ExtremeAlt
A modern mini PC platform offering vastly superior performance and upgradability.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
A modern desktop APU that obliterates this chip in every metric.
A cheap, modern CPU that offers much better single and multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GEAlt
A low-TDP modern alternative for embedded or small form factor builds.
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 embedded processor that brings strong clock speeds and Iris Pro graphics to small form factor systems, though it lacks the overclocking features of its socketed sibling.
Best for: Purchasing a used mini PC with this chip for a cheap media center.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-10100 or Intel Core i5-5675R?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-5675R comes out ahead with a score of 7.2/10. 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 i3-10100 or Intel Core i5-5675R?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-5675R leads with a gaming performance score of 62/100 among Intel Core i3-10100 and Intel Core i5-5675R.
Do Intel Core i3-10100 and Intel Core i5-5675R use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-10100: LGA 1200, Intel Core i5-5675R: Intel BGA 1364), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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.