CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10105 vs Intel Core i3-10105F
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-10105 is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor featuring a 3.7 GHz base clock, 4.4 GHz boost, and UHD Graphics 630, built on the 14nm Comet Lake-R architecture for the LGA 1200 socket.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 support found on higher-tier Comet Lake parts
- Suitable only for basic CPU-based inference
- No iGPU means no Intel Quick Sync for video AI workloads
- CPU-bound inference is slow on 4 cores
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- Requires a discrete GPU to function
- Excellent frame rates in CPU-light eSports titles
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-intensive games
- 4 cores/8 threads are the bare minimum for modern gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Extremely low launch price of $97
- No compromise on CPU performance versus the 10105
- Full x16 PCIe 3.0 bandwidth for the GPU
- Low 65W power draw
- Enables viable sub-$400 gaming PC builds
Cons
- System will not boot without a discrete GPU
- No Intel Quick Sync video encoding
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
- Memory capped at DDR4-2666
- 14nm process is power-hungry compared to competitors
- Limited to 4 cores for modern gaming
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i3-10105F
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 3 3300XRival
Budget Gaming
- Intel Core i3-11100FRival
Next-Gen Budget Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500Rival
Mainstream Gaming
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10400FRival
Mainstream Gaming
A generational leap in IPC and gaming performance if moving to the LGA 1700 platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
The best value 6-core option for modern gaming, offering much better longevity.
Only if you absolutely need integrated graphics as a backup.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewAn exceptional value proposition in its time, stripping the iGPU to offer the cheapest entry point into dedicated gaming on the LGA 1200 platform, though now overshadowed by newer architectures.
Best for: Finding one used for under $30 to revive an old LGA 1200 gaming rig or complete a ultra-low-budget build with spare parts.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-10105 or Intel Core i3-10105F?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-10105F comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Do Intel Core i3-10105 and Intel Core i3-10105F use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1200 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.