CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10105T vs Intel Core i3-8300T
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 larger cache makes desktop interactions and application loading feel slightly snappier than the 6MB 8100T.
Gaming
The low 3.0 GHz base clock and 3.9 GHz turbo severely limit gaming performance, even with a dedicated GPU.
The 8MB cache helps slightly, but the lack of Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading makes it unsuitable for gaming.
Virtualization
4 threads can manage one lightweight VM, but the low power limit restricts performance.
8MB cache helps with VM context switching, but 4 threads is still a severe bottleneck.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for the 35 W power class, though the 14nm process is less efficient than modern 10nm alternatives.
Matches the i3-8100T's excellent efficiency profile.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration capabilities
- Insufficient performance for any practical AI workload
- No AI hardware.
- Fixed 3.2 GHz clock is too slow for meaningful 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
- Not intended for gaming.
- Fixed 3.2 GHz clock prevents acceptable frame rates in modern titles.
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- 14nm process is outdated and less power-efficient than 10nm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
- 3.2 GHz fixed clock is 100 MHz higher than 8100T
- Low 35W power draw
- UHD Graphics 630 included
- Often cheap on the used market
Cons
- OEM-only, no retail warranty
- No Turbo Boost
- No Hyper-Threading
- Still only 4 threads
- DDR4-2400 memory limit
- PCIe 3.0 only
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 i3-8300T
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400TRival
OEM Low-Power
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GERival
Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-8100Rival
Standard Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GERival
Low-Power Desktop
The 10th gen successor adds Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost.
Compare head-to-headN/A
A Coffee Lake refresh option with better clocks.
Compare head-to-head
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 uniquely configured OEM chip that offers more cache than the retail i3-8100T. While still limited by no Turbo Boost or Hyper-Threading, the 8MB cache makes it the best performing 35W 8th gen i3.
Best for: Finding one salvaged from an OEM PC to use as a cheap LGA 1151v2 upgrade, as it outperforms the retail i3-8100T.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-10105T or Intel Core i3-8300T?
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 i3-8300T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-10105T leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i3-8300T.
Do Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i3-8300T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-10105T: LGA 1200, Intel Core i3-8300T: 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.