Quick Verdict
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.
Overview
Launch
2020
Status
ActiveGeneration
10th Gen Core i3 (Comet Lake)
Market
OEM Desktop
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 Core i3-10300 was never sold at retail but found its way into many 2020 OEM desktops. It features 4 cores and 8 threads at 3.7 GHz base and 4.
4 GHz boost, but uniquely sports 8MB of L3 cache instead of the standard 6MB. It also features a 62W base TDP with a PL1 of 65W and an unusually high PL2 of 90W.
Specifications
Performance
The 8MB cache provides a noticeable uplift in applications that are sensitive to L3 cache size compared to 6MB retail parts.
The extra cache helps in VM context switching, but 8 threads is still a hard limit.
Better than a retail i3-10100 due to the extra cache, but OEM PCs with this chip rarely include a capable dedicated GPU.
The 90W PL2 is inefficient for a 4-core chip, but OEMs typically lock this down, resulting in standard 65W operation.
- •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
- •No dedicated AI hardware
- •Extra cache does not significantly impact AI inference
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Comet Lake
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
62 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-10300 uses the standard Comet Lake die but is uniquely configured with 8MB of L3 cache. This strongly indicates it is a binned or harvested version of the 6-core Comet Lake die used for the i5-10400, with two cores and 4MB of cache disabled.
CPU Design
4 active Skylake-derived cores with Hyper-Threading. The ring bus interconnect now only has to service 4 cores over the 8MB cache, potentially resulting in slightly lower cache latency than on the full 6-core i5 die.
Memory Subsystem
Standard dual-channel DDR4-2666 controller, identical to other 10th gen i3 parts.
PCIe & I/O
16 lanes of PCIe 3.0. Standard desktop allocation.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier. The 90W PL2 is technically a power limit, not an overclock, but it allows the 4 cores to boost aggressively for up to 28 seconds (typical Intel tau).
Key Highlights
- 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
- 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
History
The Core i3-10300 is a classic example of Intel's silicon binning strategy for OEMs. In the semiconductor industry, not all dies come off the fabrication line perfect. When a 6-core Comet Lake die (destined for an i5-10400) had a defect in one or two cores, Intel didn't throw it away.
Instead, they disabled the faulty cores and portions of the L3 cache, creating the i3-10300.</br></br>This resulted in an i3 that was physically larger and possessed more cache (8MB) than the retail i3-10100 (6MB), which was likely made on a smaller, native 4-core die. For OEMs like Dell and Lenovo, this meant getting a slightly better performing chip at the same i3 tier pricing.
The bizarre 90W PL2 specification was likely just Intel carrying over the power limits of the original 6-core die without properly re-characterizing it for the 4-core configuration.</br></br>Because these chips were sold in bulk to OEMs, they never received the marketing spotlight. However, they occasionally surface on the used market when IT departments decommission old office PCs.
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Pulling one from a scrapped OEM PC to use in a cheap LGA 1200 build, taking advantage of the 8MB cache.
Avoid if…
- Trying to buy one new (they are not sold retail)
- Expecting it to outperform a Ryzen 5 3600
- Putting it in a system with a weak OEM cooler without capping the PL2
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The 8MB L3 cache is 33% larger than the 6MB found on the retail i3-10100 and i3-10105.
Its 90W PL2 is higher than the 65W PL2 of the 6-core i5-10400, making it one of the most power-hungry 4-core chips Intel produced.
It includes TSX (Transactional Synchronization Extensions), which Intel removed from many consumer Skylake derivatives after the microcode bug discovered in 2018, but kept on this OEM part.
The 62W base TDP is unique; most desktop i3s are exactly 65W.
Because it is harvested from a larger die, the physical silicon size is larger than the retail i3-10100, even though it has fewer active transistors.
OEMs like Lenovo often used proprietary motherboard connectors and fan headers, making it difficult to use this CPU in standard aftermarket LGA 1200 boards without BIOS mods.
People Also Ask
Can I buy the Intel Core i3-10300?
It was an OEM-exclusive processor and was never sold at retail. You can only find it used, typically salvaged from pre-built PCs.
Why does the i3-10300 have 8MB of cache?
It is likely a harvested i5-10400 die with two cores and a portion of the cache disabled, leaving it with 8MB instead of the standard i3's 6MB.
What does PL2 90W mean for the i3-10300?
It means the CPU is allowed to draw up to 90W for short bursts (usually 28 seconds) to achieve maximum boost clocks, before dropping back to its 65W PL1 limit.
Is the i3-10300 better than the i3-10100?
Yes, slightly. The 8MB cache provides a performance uplift in cache-sensitive tasks compared to the 10100's 6MB.
Does the i3-10300 work in a normal motherboard?
Yes, it uses the standard LGA 1200 socket and is electrically compatible with 400/500 series boards, but you may need a BIOS update since it was an OEM part.
Does the i3-10300 have integrated graphics?
Yes, it includes UHD Graphics 630.
What is the TDP of the i3-10300?
The base TDP is 62W, with a PL1 of 65W and a PL2 of 90W.
Does the i3-10300 support TSX?
Yes, unlike many retail 10th gen i3 parts, the OEM 10300 retains TSX instruction support.
What RAM speed does it support?
DDR4-2666 MT/s, limited by the i3 memory controller.
Is it worth upgrading from an i3-10300?
If you have an OEM PC with this chip, upgrading to a used i5-10400 or i7-10700 on the same motherboard is the most cost-effective path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the part number for the i3-10300?
The MM number is SRH3J.
When was the i3-10300 released?
April 30, 2020.
How many cores and threads?
4 cores and 8 threads.
What is the boost clock?
Up to 4.4 GHz.
Does it support PCIe 4.0?
No, it is limited to PCIe 3.0.
Can I use it for gaming?
It can handle eSports, but finding a system with this chip and a good GPU is rare since it was used mostly in office PCs.
What socket does it use?
LGA 1200.
Why is the base TDP 62W instead of 65W?
Intel often uses slightly different base TDP ratings for OEM-specific SKUs to differentiate them from retail parts.
Does it come with a cooler?
Only when purchased as part of an OEM system. Standalone used chips do not include a cooler.
What is the FP32 performance?
563.2 GFLOPS.