Core i3-10100 vs Core i5-1140G7

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-10100 vs Core i5-1140G7 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-10100 vs Core i5-1140G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10100

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-1140G7 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-1140G7.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $122 MSRP, while Core i5-1140G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1200% higher power demand at 65W vs 5W.

Core i5-1140G7

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 65W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,471 vs 8,526).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10100.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10100 better than Core i5-1140G7?

Yes. Core i3-10100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-10100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-10100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $122 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (69.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10100 vs Core i5-1140G7 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-10100

The Core i3-10100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,526 points. Launch price was $130.

Core i5-1140G7

The Core i5-1140G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 MB + 8 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,471 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10100 and Core i5-1140G7 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-10100 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-1140G7 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-10100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i3-10100 uses the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-1140G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i3-10100 scores 8,526 against the Core i5-1140G7's 8,471 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-10100. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10100 vs 8 MB on the Core i5-1140G7.

Feature	Core i3-10100	Core i5-1140G7
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+2%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+100%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+5020%	5 MB
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Comet Lake-S (2020)	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)
PassMark	8,526	8,471
Cinebench R23 Multi	5,612	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,430	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,300	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10100 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-1140G7 uses FCBGA1598 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10100	Core i5-1140G7
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1598
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-10100) / not specified (Core i5-1140G7). The Core i3-10100 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-1140G7 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-10100 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i3-10100 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X.