CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10105T vs Intel Core i3-9300
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 8 MB cache helps keep frequently used office applications responsive.
Gaming
The low 3.0 GHz base clock and 3.9 GHz turbo severely limit gaming performance, even with a dedicated GPU.
Slightly better than the 9100 due to cache and clocks, but 4 threads remain a hard bottleneck.
Virtualization
4 threads can manage one lightweight VM, but the low power limit restricts performance.
4 threads are insufficient for meaningful virtualization.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for the 35 W power class, though the 14nm process is less efficient than modern 10nm alternatives.
The 62 W TDP makes it slightly more efficient per clock than the 65 W 9100.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration capabilities
- Insufficient performance for any practical AI workload
- No AI capabilities
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
- Can handle very light esports at low settings if paired with a dedicated GPU
- The 4-thread limit causes significant stuttering in modern games
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- 14nm process is outdated and less power-efficient than 10nm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
- 8 MB L3 cache provides a tangible latency reduction
- 62 W TDP is slightly more efficient than the 65 W standard
- Higher clocks than the i3-9100 out of the box
- UHD 630 included for display output
- ECC memory support (if motherboard allows)
Cons
- OEM-exclusive, impossible to buy at retail
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- No Hyper-Threading
- Memory locked to DDR4-2400 MT/s
- Outclassed by cheap used AMD Ryzen parts
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 i3-9300
- AMD Ryzen 3 3100Rival
Budget AM4
- Intel Core i3-9100Rival
Standard Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-9400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AFRival
Used Market Value
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10100Rival
Next-Gen Desktop
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 reviewThe i3-9300 is a minor tweak on the 9100, offering a bit more cache and slightly better efficiency, but its OEM-exclusive nature and 4-thread limit make it irrelevant for DIY builders.
Best for: The i3-9300 should only be considered if you are purchasing a pre-built desktop from an OEM (like HP or Lenovo) that happens to use this chip, and the price is heavily discounted. The 8 MB cache makes it a slightly better performer than a 9100 in single-task office environments. If you are building a PC yourself, you cannot buy this chip, and you shouldn't try to hunt it down on the grey market.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-10105T or Intel Core i3-9300?
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 i3-9300?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9300 leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i3-9300.
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 i3-9300 (62 W).
Do Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i3-9300 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-10105T: LGA 1200, Intel Core i3-9300: 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), Intel Core i3-9300 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.