Core i3-10100T vs Core i5-8300H

Intel

Core i3-10100T

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2020
VS
Intel

Core i5-8300H

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 4 GHz2018

Core i3-10100T vs Core i5-8300H 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 i3-10100T vs Core i5-8300H 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 i3-10100T vs Core i5-8300H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10100T

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8300H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (7,305 vs 7,369).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Core i5-8300H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-8300H

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8300H better than Core i3-10100T?
Yes. Core i5-8300H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8300H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 i5-8300H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-8300H is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8300H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10100T 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 7,305 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 i3-10100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10100T vs Core i5-8300H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-10100T

The Core i3-10100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,305 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i5-8300H

The Core i5-8300H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,369 points. Launch price was $250.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10100T and Core i5-8300H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-10100T versus 4 GHz on the Core i5-8300H — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-8300H (base: 3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-8300H is built on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-10100T scores 7,305 against the Core i5-8300H's 7,369 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-8300H. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-10100T vs 8 MB on the Core i5-8300H.

FeatureCore i3-10100TCore i5-8300H
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
4 GHz+5%
Base Clock
3 GHz+30%
2.3 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
8 MB+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark
7,305
7,369
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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10100T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8300H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-10100TCore i5-8300H
Socket
LGA1200
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0