CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10300 vs Intel Core i3-10320
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-10300 is an OEM-exclusive 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor featuring 8MB of L3 cache and a 62W base TDP with a high 90W PL2 turbo limit, built on 14nm Comet Lake silicon.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The 8MB cache provides a noticeable uplift in applications that are sensitive to L3 cache size compared to 6MB retail parts.
Handles office suites and web apps well, but the 65W PL1 will cause throttling in long-running Excel macros or heavy multitasking.
Gaming
Better than a retail i3-10100 due to the extra cache, but OEM PCs with this chip rarely include a capable dedicated GPU.
Requires a discrete GPU for gaming. The CPU itself can handle budget GPUs without severe bottlenecking at 1080p.
Virtualization
The extra cache helps in VM context switching, but 8 threads is still a hard limit.
4 cores and 8 threads can run a couple of light virtual machines, but it is not ideal for dedicated lab environments.
Efficiency
The 90W PL2 is inefficient for a 4-core chip, but OEMs typically lock this down, resulting in standard 65W operation.
The 14nm process shows its age; newer Ryzen 3 parts offer significantly better performance per watt.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Extra cache does not significantly impact AI inference
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 instructions
- Not suitable for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- 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
- 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
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 i3-10300
- 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.
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 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 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 i3-10300 or Intel Core i3-10320?
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 i3-10300 or Intel Core i3-10320?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-10320 leads with a gaming performance score of 28/100 among Intel Core i3-10300 and Intel Core i3-10320.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-10300 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-10300 (62 W), Intel Core i3-10320 (91 W).
Do Intel Core i3-10300 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.