Core i3-10100F vs Core i5-1038NG7

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 i5-1038NG7 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 i5-1038NG7: 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

✅Better for gaming: +13.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 28W, a 27W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,714 vs 8,823).
❌Launch MSRP is still $88 MSRP, while Core i5-1038NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1038NG7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-1038NG7

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics G7, while Core i3-10100F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10100F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌2700% higher power demand at 28W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10100F better than Core i5-1038NG7?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10100F is ahead with a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10100F is the better buy right now. Core i3-10100F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $88 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-1038NG7 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (99.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1038NG7 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 i3-10100F vs Core i5-1038NG7 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-1038NG7

The Core i5-1038NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 8,823 points. Launch price was $320.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10100F and Core i5-1038NG7 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-10100F versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-1038NG7 — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-10100F (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-10100F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-1038NG7 uses Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10100F scores 8,714 against the Core i5-1038NG7's 8,823 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-1038NG7. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i3-10100F vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1038NG7.

Feature	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-1038NG7
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+13%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	8,714	8,823+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,250

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10100F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-1038NG7 uses FCBGA1344 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10100F versus LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1038NG7 — the Core i5-1038NG7 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-10100F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-10100F	Core i5-1038NG7
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1344
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR4-3733+40%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-10100F) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1038NG7). The Core i5-1038NG7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics G7), while the Core i3-10100F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1038NG7 targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1038NG7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.