CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10105T vs Intel Core i3-10300
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-10105T is a 4-core, 8-thread low-power desktop processor utilizing the 14nm Comet Lake-R architecture with a 35 W TDP, designed for compact desktops and small-form-factor builds.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles basic office tasks fine, but heavy spreadsheets or multitasking will feel slower than standard 65 W chips.
The 8MB cache provides a noticeable uplift in applications that are sensitive to L3 cache size compared to 6MB retail parts.
Gaming
The low 3.0 GHz base clock and 3.9 GHz turbo severely limit gaming performance, even with a dedicated GPU.
Better than a retail i3-10100 due to the extra cache, but OEM PCs with this chip rarely include a capable dedicated GPU.
Virtualization
4 threads can manage one lightweight VM, but the low power limit restricts performance.
The extra cache helps in VM context switching, but 8 threads is still a hard limit.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for the 35 W power class, though the 14nm process is less efficient than modern 10nm alternatives.
The 90W PL2 is inefficient for a 4-core chip, but OEMs typically lock this down, resulting in standard 65W operation.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration capabilities
- Insufficient performance for any practical AI workload
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Extra cache does not significantly impact AI inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- The low clock speeds create a significant bottleneck in modern games
- Only suitable for very old or lightweight 2D games
- A dedicated GPU would be heavily CPU-limited by this processor
- Rarely found in systems with adequate GPUs
- Cache uplift helps minimally in gaming compared to retail i3s
- UHD 630 is not suitable for 3D gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 35 W TDP enables very compact and quiet desktop designs
- Configurable down to 25 W for extreme thermal constraints
- Includes UHD Graphics 630 for basic display tasks
- Compatible with both 400 and 500 series motherboards
- 4 cores and 8 threads provide adequate basic multitasking
Cons
- Low 3.0 GHz base clock limits sustained performance
- High $134 launch price for a heavily downclocked chip
- Restricted to DDR4-2666 memory speeds
- Only PCIe 3.0 support
- 14nm process is outdated and less power-efficient than 10nm
Pros
- 8MB L3 cache is larger than retail i3 alternatives
- High 90W PL2 allows strong burst performance if cooled properly
- Includes TSX instructions
- UHD 630 for basic display tasks
- Can often be found cheap on the used market from scrapped PCs
Cons
- OEM-only, never sold at retail
- No official warranty for consumers
- 90W PL2 may overwhelm stock OEM coolers
- Still limited to PCIe 3.0 and DDR4-2666
- 4 cores are limiting for modern workloads
- Very difficult to find standalone
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-10105T
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GERival
Low-Power AM4
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10100Rival
Standard Power i3
- Intel Pentium Gold G6600TRival
Low-Power Budget
- AMD Athlon 3000GERival
Ultra-Low Power AM4
A modern 35 W alternative offering PCIe 5.0, DDR5 support, and vastly superior single-core performance.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-10400TAlt
If you need more cores in a 35 W envelope, the 6-core 10400T is a better multitasker.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Alt
If you can step up to 65 W, this 6-core processor offers dramatically better performance.
Intel Core i3-10300
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GRival
Budget Desktop with iGPU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10100Rival
Retail Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500Rival
Mainstream Desktop
A massive leap in performance for any new build.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-10305Alt
The OEM successor with even higher clocks and the same 8MB cache.
Our Verdict on Each
The i3-10105T offers adequate performance for basic tasks in a 35 W envelope, but its low clocks, DDR4-2666 limit, and PCIe 3.0 make it hard to recommend over modern low-power alternatives.
Best for: The i3-10105T should only be considered if you are repairing an existing SFF (Small Form Factor) office PC that requires a 35 W processor to match the chassis cooling capabilities. Its $134 launch price was difficult to justify even in 2021, as the standard i3-10100 cost less while offering significantly higher clock speeds. If you are building a new low-power system today, you should look toward 12th or 13th-gen 'T' variants which offer dramatically better performance per watt on a newer architecture. Avoid this chip for any new build, especially since it lacks modern features like PCIe 4.0 or DDR5 support.
Read the full reviewA capable OEM-only chip that is slightly better than its retail counterparts thanks to 8MB of L3 cache, though its 90W PL2 is an oddity for a 4-core part that most OEM coolers cannot handle.
Best for: Pulling one from a scrapped OEM PC to use in a cheap LGA 1200 build, taking advantage of the 8MB cache.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-10105T or Intel Core i3-10300?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-10300 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 i3-10105T or Intel Core i3-10300?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-10105T leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i3-10300.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-10105T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-10105T (35 W), Intel Core i3-10300 (62 W).
Do Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i3-10300 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 i3-10105T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-10105T (5,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.