Core i3-10100F vs Core i3-10105F

Intel

Core i3-10100F

4 Cores8 Thrd1 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i3-10105F

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2021
Core family
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Core i3-10100F vs Core i3-10105F Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i3-10100F vs Core i3-10105F 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 i3-10100F vs Core i3-10105F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10100F

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $9 less on MSRP ($88 MSRP vs $97 MSRP).
  • Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (8,714 vs 8,912).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10105F.

Core i3-10105F

2021

Why buy it

  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-10100F.

Trade-offs

  • 10.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $97 MSRPvs$88 MSRP
  • 6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10105F better than Core i3-10100F?
Yes. Core i3-10105F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.3% 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 i3-10105F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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 i3-10105F is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-10105F is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i3-10105F comes in 10.2% more expensive on MSRP at $97 MSRP versus $88 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10100F only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 8,714 PassMark with 4 cores and 8 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-10105F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and 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 i3-10100F vs Core i3-10105F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-10100F

The Core i3-10100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) 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. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,714 points. Launch price was $122.

Intel

Core i3-10105F

The Core i3-10105F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,912 points. Launch price was $97.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10100F and Core i3-10105F share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-10100F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10105F — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-10105F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i3-10100F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-10105F uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10100F scores 8,714 against the Core i3-10105F's 8,912 — a 2.2% lead for the Core i3-10105F. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i3-10100F vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10105F.

FeatureCore i3-10100FCore i3-10105F
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
3.7 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
6 MB
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB+300%
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark
8,714
8,912+2%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,461
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,503
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 400 series (Core i3-10100F) and LGA1200 (Core i3-10105F).

FeatureCore i3-10100FCore i3-10105F
Socket
LGA1200
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-10100F) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10105F).

FeatureCore i3-10100FCore i3-10105F
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10100F was priced at $88, while the Core i3-10105F came in at $97. On launch pricing ($88 vs $97), Core i3-10100F was $9 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10100F delivers 99.0 pts/$ vs 91.9 pts/$ for the Core i3-10105F — making the Core i3-10100F the 7.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-10100FCore i3-10105F
MSRP
$88-9%
$97
Performance per Dollar
99.0+8%
91.9
Release Date
2020
2021

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