CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10300 vs Intel Core i3-9300
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.
The 8 MB cache helps keep frequently used office applications responsive.
Gaming
Better than a retail i3-10100 due to the extra cache, but OEM PCs with this chip rarely include a capable dedicated GPU.
Slightly better than the 9100 due to cache and clocks, but 4 threads remain a hard bottleneck.
Virtualization
The extra cache helps in VM context switching, but 8 threads is still a hard limit.
4 threads are insufficient for meaningful virtualization.
Efficiency
The 90W PL2 is inefficient for a 4-core chip, but OEMs typically lock this down, resulting in standard 65W operation.
The 62 W TDP makes it slightly more efficient per clock than the 65 W 9100.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Extra cache does not significantly impact AI inference
- No AI capabilities
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
- 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
- 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
- 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 i3-10300
- 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 i3-9300
- 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
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 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 i3-10300 or Intel Core i3-9300?
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 i3-9300?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-9300 leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core i3-10300 and Intel Core i3-9300.
Do Intel Core i3-10300 and Intel Core i3-9300 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-10300: LGA 1200, Intel Core i3-9300: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-9300 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-9300 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.