CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10105 vs Intel Core i3-10320
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
Performance Compared
Productivity
Easily handles word processing, spreadsheets, and web applications. Multi-threaded tasks like video encoding reveal its 4-core limitations.
Handles office suites and web apps well, but the 65W PL1 will cause throttling in long-running Excel macros or heavy multitasking.
Gaming
When paired with a dedicated GPU, it can handle 1080p eSports titles well, but it will bottleneck more demanding modern AAA games.
Requires a discrete GPU for gaming. The CPU itself can handle budget GPUs without severe bottlenecking at 1080p.
Virtualization
Can run a lightweight VM or two, but 8 threads and 6MB of cache restrict complex virtualization setups.
4 cores and 8 threads can run a couple of light virtual machines, but it is not ideal for dedicated lab environments.
Efficiency
The 14nm process is less power-efficient than newer 10nm or 7nm competing chips, drawing more power per clock.
The 14nm process shows its age; newer Ryzen 3 parts offer significantly better performance per watt.
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 AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions
- Not suitable for AI workloads
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
- UHD 630 iGPU cannot handle modern games
- CPU performance is adequate for entry-level dedicated GPUs
- Lacks PCIe 4.0 for future GPU upgrades
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
- High 4.6 GHz boost clock for snappy single-thread performance
- 8 threads provide good multitasking for the price
- Low 65W sustained power draw keeps temperatures down
- Includes enterprise features like TSX and TXT
- Solid performance for basic office environments
Cons
- OEM-exclusive, difficult to buy separately
- Confusing and misleading 91W TDP labeling
- DDR4-2666 memory speed cap
- Only 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes
- Outperformed by cheaper Ryzen 3 alternatives in multi-threaded tasks
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 i3-10320
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 3300XRival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Athlon 3000GRival
Entry Desktop
- Intel Pentium Gold G6600Rival
Entry Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AFRival
Budget Desktop
Nearly identical performance but available at retail for a much lower price.
Compare head-to-headAdds 2 more cores for a significant multi-threaded boost at a reasonable price.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Superior multi-core performance, PCIe 4.0, and often priced competitively.
A massive generational leap in IPC and efficiency on the LGA 1700 platform.
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 reviewA capable 4-core processor for basic computing, but its OEM exclusivity and confusing 91W/65W power spec make it irrelevant for custom builders.
Best for: The Intel Core i3-10320 is not a processor you should actively seek out to build a new PC, primarily because it was never intended for the retail market. If you are upgrading an existing OEM desktop that currently houses this chip, it is generally not worth the investment to swap it out for an i5 or i7 due to motherboard BIOS restrictions common in pre-built systems. However, if you are purchasing a used office PC on the cheap that contains the i3-10320, it remains surprisingly capable for everyday tasks. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with a 4.6 GHz boost clock, handle web browsing, office applications, and 1080p media consumption without breaking a sweat. Just be aware of the 65W PL1 limit, which may throttle sustained workloads, and the DDR4-2666 memory speed cap, which slightly bottlenecks the integrated UHD 630 graphics. Avoid it for any serious gaming or content creation.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-10105 or Intel Core i3-10320?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-10105 comes out ahead with a score of 6/10. 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 i3-10105 or Intel Core i3-10320?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-10320 leads with a gaming performance score of 28/100 among Intel Core i3-10105 and Intel Core i3-10320.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-10105 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-10105 (65 W), Intel Core i3-10320 (91 W).
Do Intel Core i3-10105 and Intel Core i3-10320 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 i3-10320 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-10320 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.