CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10105T vs Intel Core i3-8100T
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.
4 cores handle standard office suites well, but heavy Excel macros or large datasets will show the lack of Turbo Boost.
Gaming
The low 3.0 GHz base clock and 3.9 GHz turbo severely limit gaming performance, even with a dedicated GPU.
The locked 3.1 GHz clock prevents playable frame rates in modern CPU-heavy games, and OEM systems rarely include a GPU.
Virtualization
4 threads can manage one lightweight VM, but the low power limit restricts performance.
4 threads without Hyper-Threading is the absolute minimum for any VM usage.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for the 35 W power class, though the 14nm process is less efficient than modern 10nm alternatives.
Very efficient due to the low 35W TDP and lack of power-hungry turbo frequency spikes.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration capabilities
- Insufficient performance for any practical AI workload
- No AI hardware.
- Fixed 3.1 GHz clock provides poor inference performance.
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
- Fixed 3.1 GHz clock is too low for modern games.
- No Hyper-Threading limits background task handling.
- UHD 630 is not for 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- 14nm process is outdated and less power-efficient than 10nm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
- Very low 35W power draw
- Predictable, constant 3.1 GHz performance
- 4 physical cores for multitasking
- Includes UHD 630 for display outputs
- Can be configured down to 25W
Cons
- No Turbo Boost (locked at 3.1 GHz)
- No Hyper-Threading (4 cores = 4 threads)
- Low 72°C Tcase limit restricts cooler options
- DDR4-2400 memory speed limit
- Outdated 14nm process
- Only PCIe 3.0
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 i3-8100T
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GERival
Low-Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GERival
Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100Rival
Standard Desktop
- Intel Pentium Gold G5400TRival
Budget SFF
- AMD Athlon 3000GERival
Budget SFF
The 10th gen successor adds Hyper-Threading, Turbo Boost, and higher clocks.
Compare head-to-headIf upgrading an SFF PC, a 6-core T-series chip provides massive headroom.
Compare head-to-headAlder Lake offers a generational leap in IPC for modern SFF builds.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500GEAlt
6 cores/12 threads at low power for modern budget builds.
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 product of Intel's core-count strategy, the i3-8100T traded clock speed and threading for low heat output. It was adequate for basic office work in tiny chassis but aged rapidly due to its lack of Turbo Boost.
Best for: Only if you are repairing an existing SFF PC and can find the chip for under $15 on the used market.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-10105T or Intel Core i3-8100T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-10105T comes out ahead with a score of 5.8/10. 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 i3-8100T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-10105T leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i3-8100T.
Do Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i3-8100T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-10105T: LGA 1200, Intel Core i3-8100T: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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.