Quick Verdict
An exceptional value proposition in its time, stripping the iGPU to offer the cheapest entry point into dedicated gaming on the LGA 1200 platform, though now overshadowed by newer architectures.
Overview
Launch
2021
Status
ActiveGeneration
10th Gen Core i3 (Comet Lake-R)
Market
Budget Gaming Desktop
The Intel Core i3-10105F is a budget-focused 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor that removes the integrated graphics to achieve a $97 launch price, built on 14nm Comet Lake-R silicon for dedicated gaming builds.
The Core i3-10105F takes the 4-core, 8-thread Comet Lake-R design and disables the UHD Graphics 630, dropping the launch price to just $97. It retains the 3.7 GHz base, 4.
4 GHz boost, and 6MB L3 cache, making it an ideal pairing with budget to mid-range dedicated GPUs for 1080p gaming.
Specifications
Performance
Handles standard office work and web browsing fine, but the lack of an iGPU means no hardware video encoding acceleration for quick sync.
Same 8-thread virtualization capability as the 10105, adequate for a single light VM.
When paired with a mid-range GPU, it delivers smooth eSports performance and playable 1080p experience in older AAA titles, though modern heavy games will be CPU-limited.
Efficiency is comparable to the 10105; the disabled iGPU saves a negligible amount of power under load.
- •Requires a discrete GPU to function
- •Excellent frame rates in CPU-light eSports titles
- •Bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-intensive games
- •4 cores/8 threads are the bare minimum for modern gaming
- •No iGPU means no Intel Quick Sync for video AI workloads
- •CPU-bound inference is slow on 4 cores
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Comet Lake-R
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-10105F is architecturally identical to the i3-10105, utilizing the same Skylake-derived Comet Lake-R die. The only difference is the physical disabling of the UHD Graphics 630 execution units and related display controllers on the silicon.
CPU Design
Four Skylake cores with Hyper-Threading, 64KB L1 and 256KB L2 per core, and 6MB of shared L3 cache. Frequencies, multiplier locks, and power limits remain exactly the same as the non-F variant.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-2666 memory controller. The speed cap remains a bottleneck compared to AMD's AM4 platform, which supports faster memory natively on even budget chips.
PCIe & I/O
16 lanes of PCIe 3.0 from the CPU, functioning identically to the 10105. The disabled iGPU does not free up PCIe lanes on this architecture.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier. Memory XMP is supported by the motherboard but will be limited by the CPU's 2666 MT/s hard cap.
- 100 MHz higher base and boost clocks over the 10100F
- Slightly lower launch price compared to the 10100F's original MSRP
Key Highlights
- Extremely low launch price of $97
- No compromise on CPU performance versus the 10105
- Full x16 PCIe 3.0 bandwidth for the GPU
- Low 65W power draw
- Enables viable sub-$400 gaming PC builds
- System will not boot without a discrete GPU
- No Intel Quick Sync video encoding
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
- Memory capped at DDR4-2666
- 14nm process is power-hungry compared to competitors
- Limited to 4 cores for modern gaming
History
The Core i3-10105F represents the pinnacle of Intel's F-series pricing strategy during the 10th generation. By 2021, AMD's Ryzen 3 3100 and 3300X were aggressively targeting the sub-$100 CPU market, offering PCIe 4.0 and higher core counts on a cheaper motherboard platform.
Intel needed a counter-punch, and the 10105F was it.</br></br>Priced at just $97, it undercut even AMD's cheapest quad-cores in some regions. The logic was simple: if a buyer is putting a dedicated GPU in their system anyway, why pay for integrated graphics?
This resonated strongly with first-time PC builders and system integrators in price-sensitive markets. The 10105F became the default CPU for countless "cheapest gaming PC" YouTube videos and forum build guides.</br></br>However, the strategy had a hidden cost for the consumer.
Because the i3 memory controller was locked to DDR4-2666, buyers couldn't take full advantage of faster RAM kits, limiting the platform's overall performance ceiling compared to an AM4 build. Still, for pure entry-level gaming on a strict budget, the 10105F carved out a significant market share in 2021.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 100 MHz higher base and boost clocks over the 10100F
- Slightly lower launch price compared to the 10100F's original MSRP
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Finding one used for under $30 to revive an old LGA 1200 gaming rig or complete a ultra-low-budget build with spare parts.
Avoid if…
- Building a completely new system (AM4 or LGA 1700 are better)
- You do not already own a dedicated graphics card
- Playing modern CPU-heavy AAA games
- Future upgradability is a priority
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
At $97, it was one of the cheapest new desktop processors Intel had ever launched at the time.
Disabling the iGPU does not reduce the TDP; it remains 65W, indicating the GPU drew very little power in this silicon generation.
Because the iGPU is disabled at the hardware level, there is no BIOS setting or hack to enable UHD Graphics 630 on this chip.
The F-suffix chips were originally introduced in the 9th generation, but the 10105F represented the most aggressive budget application of the concept.
It lacks a Tcase max rating in official documentation, only listing the 100°C TJ Max, unlike the standard 10105 which lists both.
The $25 price difference between the 10105F and 10105 represented a 20% savings for identical CPU compute performance.
This processor was highly popular in Latin American and Eastern European markets where budget constraints were paramount.
People Also Ask
Does the i3-10105F have integrated graphics?
No, the 'F' designation means the integrated graphics are permanently disabled. A dedicated graphics card is required.
Is the i3-10105F good for gaming?
Yes, for a budget build. It handles eSports excellently and can manage older AAA games, but it will bottleneck high-end GPUs.
What happens if I turn on a PC with an i3-10105F and no GPU?
The system will power on but you will get no display output and likely will not pass POST.
Is the i3-10105F the same as the i3-10105?
The CPU cores, clocks, and cache are identical. The only difference is the disabled integrated graphics on the F variant.
Can the i3-10105F use Quick Sync?
No, Intel Quick Sync Video relies on the integrated graphics hardware, which is disabled on F-series processors.
What GPU should I pair with the i3-10105F?
Something in the GTX 1660 Super to RTX 3050 range is appropriate to avoid severe CPU bottlenecking.
Does the i3-10105F support PCIe 4.0?
No, it is limited to PCIe 3.0.
Why is the i3-10105F cheaper than the i3-10105?
Disabling the integrated graphics allows Intel to sell dies with minor GPU defects and reduces validation costs, passing savings to the buyer.
Can I use DDR4-3200 RAM with the i3-10105F?
The RAM will work, but the CPU's memory controller will limit the speed to DDR4-2666.
What is the TDP of the i3-10105F?
65 Watts, exactly the same as the i3-10105.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the part number for the i3-10105F?
The MM number is SRH8V.
Does it come with a cooler?
Retail boxed versions typically include an Intel stock cooler.
What socket does it use?
LGA 1200, compatible with 400 and 500 series motherboards.
How many PCIe lanes does it have?
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU.
Can it run Windows 11?
Yes, it meets all Windows 11 system requirements.
Is the multiplier unlocked?
No, it is locked.
What is the boost clock?
Up to 4.4 GHz on a single core, and 4.2 GHz on all cores.
How much L3 cache does it have?
6 MB.
Is it still worth buying in 2025?
Only on the extreme used market. Newer platforms offer dramatically better performance per dollar.
Does the lack of iGPU affect CPU performance?
No, the CPU cores perform identically to the non-F variant.