Quick Verdict
A niche OEM stopgap that offered slight clock improvements and newer chipset support, but it was quickly outclassed by 11th-gen alternatives.
Overview
The Intel Core i3-10325 is a specialized 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor from the Comet Lake-R generation, released in March 2021. While architecturally identical to the earlier Comet Lake parts, the "-R" suffix denoted a refresh specifically targeted at OEMs to extend the lifespan of the LGA 1200 platform just as Intel was launching its 11th-generation Rocket Lake processors. It featured a notable clock speed bump, operating at a 3.9 GHz base frequency and boosting up to 4.7 GHz. Unlike many other i3 parts that were limited to older chipsets, the i3-10325 carried official support for both Intel 400-series and 500-series chipsets, making it highly flexible for system integrators. It maintained a 65W PL1 power limit with a 90W PL2 boost limit, paired with 8MB of L3 cache, dual-channel DDR4-2666 memory support, and the aging UHD Graphics 630. It also notably included Intel SGX (Software Guard Extensions), a feature aimed at enterprise security. This made it a reliable, cost-effective drop-in upgrade for businesses looking to modernize fleet hardware without completely overhauling their motherboard inventories.
The i3-10325 bumped clocks to 4.7 GHz and added official Intel 500-series chipset compatibility, making it a flexible, secure option for bulk OEM purchases in early 2021.
Specifications
Performance
The high boost clock makes everyday office tasks feel extremely responsive, though DDR4-2666 limits heavy data crunching.
8 threads are usable for a light VM setup, but the 65W TDP limits sustained virtualization performance.
Slightly better single-core speed than the 10320, but still requires a discrete GPU and is bottlenecked by PCIe 3.0.
Average efficiency for 14nm. AMD's competing chips at this price point draw less power for similar or better multi-core output.
- •UHD 630 is not for gaming
- •CPU can handle budget dGPUs without major issues
- •Lacks PCIe 4.0 for future GPU upgrades
- •No AI hardware acceleration
- •Lacks modern AVX-512 instructions
- •Not designed for AI workloads
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
4C / 8T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
At its core, the i3-10325 utilizes the same 14nm Comet Lake silicon as the rest of the 10th-generation desktop lineup.
CPU Design
This means it relies on the mature Skylake-derived architecture, optimized for high clock speeds rather than IPC (Instructions Per Clock) gains. The 4 Cypress Cove cores support Hyper-Threading, yielding 8 logical threads.
Memory Subsystem
The memory controller remains unchanged, capping out at DDR4-2666 MT/s, which was a known bottleneck for Intel's i3 and i5 tiers during this era, leaving performance on the table compared to AMD's Ryzen equivalents that utilized faster RAM.
PCIe & I/O
It features 16 direct PCIe 3.0 lanes. A distinguishing architectural feature of the 10325 is the inclusion of SGX. While SGX was present on some other Comet Lake parts, its explicit inclusion here reinforces the chip's enterprise focus, allowing for secure enclaves in memory for sensitive data processing. The chip does not support PCIe 4.0 and lacks the advanced AI instructions found in newer generations, but its straightforward design ensured high clock speeds and excellent single-threaded responsiveness.
Overclocking
The multiplier is locked, consistent with enterprise and OEM-focused hardware.
- Added official Intel 500-series chipset support
- 100 MHz higher base clock
- 100 MHz higher boost clock
- Inclusion of SGX for enterprise security
Key Highlights
- High 4.7 GHz boost clock for snappy responsiveness
- Official support for newer 500-series chipsets
- Intel SGX for enterprise security enclaves
- Efficient 65W power profile
- Flexible drop-in option for OEMs
- Launched after 11th-gen, making it immediately outdated
- DDR4-2666 memory speed severely limits performance
- Still uses PCIe 3.0
- OEM-focused, hard to find at retail
- More expensive at launch ($154) than vastly superior 11th-gen parts
History
The i3-10325 arrived in March 2021, a highly unusual time for a new 10th-generation part. By this point, Intel had already announced its 11th-generation Rocket Lake desktop processors, which featured a new core architecture and PCIe 4.0 support.
However, Rocket Lake was in short supply, and the 10th-gen silicon was incredibly cheap to manufacture.</br></br>Intel created the Comet Lake-R series to give OEMs a stopgap solution. System builders could use the i3-10325 on brand new B560 or H510 motherboards, allowing them to market "latest generation chipset" PCs while utilizing the abundant, inexpensive 14nm silicon.
</br></br>Priced at $154 at launch, it occupied a weird middle ground. It was more expensive than the wildly popular i3-10100 but offered slightly higher clocks. In the enterprise space, where bulk purchasing dictates margins, the 10325 provided a predictable, stable platform.
Its support for SGX made it a fit for financial or security-focused kiosks. It stands as a testament to Intel's supply chain strategy in 2021, prioritizing market availability over architectural advancement.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Added official Intel 500-series chipset support
- 100 MHz higher base clock
- 100 MHz higher boost clock
- Inclusion of SGX for enterprise security
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Buying an Intel Core i3-10325 for a custom PC build in today's market makes very little sense. If you are purchasing a pre-built desktop or a barebones system that already includes this processor, it remains a solid performer for office work, homeschooling, and general home use. The 4.7 GHz boost clock ensures that snappy day-to-day responsiveness is present. However, if you are sourcing parts individually, you should absolutely opt for the 11th-generation Core i3-12100 or the i5-11400. Those processors offer significantly better IPC, DDR4-3200 memory support, and PCIe 4.0, often at similar or lower price points. The i3-10325's DDR4-2666 memory limitation is its biggest liability, holding back both CPU and integrated graphics performance. Only consider this chip if you are upgrading a locked OEM system that specifically requires a 400 or 500-series compatible CPU with these exact power characteristics.
Avoid if…
- Building a new custom PC
- You need fast memory bandwidth
- Gaming or content creation is the goal
- Buying parts individually
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It launched in March 2021, the exact same month as the 11th-generation Rocket Lake desktop CPUs.
Despite being a 10th-gen chip, it officially supported Intel 500-series motherboards.
It included Intel SGX, a feature increasingly rare in consumer chips, pointing to its enterprise roots.
The all-core turbo is 4.5 GHz, only 200 MHz lower than its single-core boost.
Its $154 launch price was higher than the i3-10100, despite offering marginal improvements.
The '-R' suffix stood for 'Refresh', indicating a later production bin of Comet Lake silicon.
Intel positioned it to help OEMs clear out 14nm wafers while advertising 'latest chipset' features.
It utilized the same UHD Graphics 630 found on 8th-generation Intel CPUs.
The part number SRH3H identifies it as a specific OEM tray variant.
It lacks TSX instructions, which were present on the earlier i3-10320.
People Also Ask
What does the 'R' mean in Intel Core i3-10325?
The 'R' denotes a 'Refresh', meaning it is a later-produced, slightly tweaked version of the original Comet Lake architecture released to extend the platform's life.
Does the i3-10325 work on B560 motherboards?
Yes, unlike most 10th-gen chips, the i3-10325 has official support for Intel 500-series chipsets like B560 and H510.
What is Intel SGX on the i3-10325?
Software Guard Extensions (SGX) allow the CPU to create secure 'enclaves' in memory that are isolated from the rest of the system, useful for financial or security applications.
Is the i3-10325 better than the i3-10100?
It has slightly higher clock speeds (3.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz base), but in real-world use, the difference is barely noticeable, and the 10100 is much cheaper.
Why was the i3-10325 released after 11th-gen CPUs?
Intel released it as a cheap, abundant silicon option for OEMs who wanted to advertise '500-series chipset' PCs while 11th-gen supply was constrained.
Can the i3-10325 run Windows 11?
Yes, it meets all the hardware requirements for Windows 11.
Does it support PCIe 4.0?
No, it is limited to PCIe 3.0 despite supporting 500-series motherboards.
What is the launch price of the i3-10325?
$154.
How many cores and threads does it have?
4 cores and 8 threads.
What is the all-core boost clock?
4.5 GHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the part number?
SRH3H.
Does it support ECC memory?
No.
What is the maximum turbo frequency?
4.7 GHz.
What is the TDP?
65W.
What is the FP32 performance?
588.8 GFLOPS.
Does it have integrated graphics?
Yes, UHD Graphics 630.
What socket does it use?
LGA 1200.
What is the L3 cache size?
8 MB.
When was it released?
March 16, 2021.
Does it support AVX-512?
No.