Core i3-10100Y vs Ryzen 5 5600X

Intel

Core i3-10100Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i3-10100Y vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 i3-10100Y vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 i3-10100Y vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10100Y

2018

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (2,918 vs 21,845).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).
    • 687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

    Ryzen 5 5600X

    2020

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +228.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • +700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
    • Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
    • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

    • Launch MSRP is still $299 MSRP, while Core i3-10100Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i3-10100Y?
    Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 228.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 648.6% 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, Ryzen 5 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 228.3% 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, Ryzen 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 648.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $299 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 228.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Ryzen 5 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Core i3-10100Y vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    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.

    AMD

    Ryzen 5 5600X

    The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

    Processing Power

    The Core i3-10100Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10100Y versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i3-10100Y uses the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10100Y scores 2,918 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 152.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i3-10100Y vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

    FeatureCore i3-10100YRyzen 5 5600X
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 4
    6 / 12+200%
    Boost Clock
    3.9 GHz
    4.6 GHz+18%
    Base Clock
    1.3 GHz
    3.7 GHz+185%
    L3 Cache
    4 MB
    32 MB+700%
    L2 Cache
    512 kB
    512K (per core)
    Process
    14 nm
    7 nm, 12 nm-50%
    Architecture
    Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
    Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
    PassMark
    2,918
    21,845+649%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i3-10100Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i3-10100YRyzen 5 5600X
    Socket
    FCBGA1515
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-3200
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    24
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-10100Y) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

    FeatureCore i3-10100YRyzen 5 5600X
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Unlocked
    Yes
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Desktop