Core i3-10100Y vs Core i5-2500T

Core i3-10100Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018

Core i5-2500T

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-10100Y

2 / 4

2,918

0.0%

2,929

+0.4%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-10100Y is positioned at rank 1040 and the Core i5-2500T is on rank 882, so the Core i5-2500T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-10100Y

#1027

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2514%

#1028

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2477%

#1029

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2274%

#1030

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2264%

#1031

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2243%

#1033

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2166%

#1034

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2077%

#1035

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2074%

#1036

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2018%

#1040

Core i3-10100Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1041

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

99%

#1042

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

99%

#1043

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1044

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

98%

#1045

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1046

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

97%

#1047

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

97%

#1048

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

97%

#1049

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

96%

#1050

Core 2 Duo U7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1051

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

95%

#1052

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

95%

#1053

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

19373%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

18306%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

13291%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

4004%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

3172%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2775%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1589%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1568%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1428%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1428%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1412%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1374%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1355%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1349%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1337%

#882

Core i5-2500T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $30

100%

#884

Athlon II X2 265

MSRP: $83|Avg: $15

99%

#885

Core i3-2100

MSRP: $117|Avg: $10

99%

#886

A8-3800

MSRP: $130|Avg: $40

98%

#887

Pentium E5200

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

97%

#888

Athlon II X2 235e

MSRP: $69|Avg: $15

97%

#889

Athlon II X2 250e

MSRP: $77|Avg: $15

97%

#890

Core i7-2600S

MSRP: $297|Avg: $99

97%

#891

Athlon II X2 250u

MSRP: $60|Avg: $15

97%

#892

Pentium G6951

MSRP: $89|Avg: $50

97%

#893

Core i3-2125

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

97%

#895

Celeron G1820

MSRP: $110|Avg: $15

96%

#896

Celeron E1600

MSRP: $53|Avg: $10

96%

#897

Athlon II X2 270u

MSRP: $68|Avg: $10

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-10100Y (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-10100Y	Core i5-2500T
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-2500T (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-10100Y	Core i5-2500T
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-10100Y Benchmark Check

Core i5-2500T Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-10100Y and Core i5-2500T

Core i3-10100Y

The Core i3-10100Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,918 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-2500T

The Core i5-2500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,929 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-10100Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2500T offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10100Y versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2500T — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-10100Y (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-10100Y uses the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2500T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10100Y scores 2,918 against the Core i5-2500T's 2,929 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-2500T. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i3-10100Y vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500T.

Feature	Core i3-10100Y	Core i5-2500T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+18%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.3 GHz+77%
L3 Cache	4 MB	6144 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,918	2,929

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10100Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2500T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10100Y	Core i5-2500T
Socket	FCBGA1515	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-10100Y) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2500T). The Core i5-2500T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i3-10100Y requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500T targets Desktop.