Core i3-10105 vs Core i3-N300

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 i3-10105 vs Core i3-N300 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 i3-10105 vs Core i3-N300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10105

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $187 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
✅Delivers 152.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 67.6 vs 26.8 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-N300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,242 vs 8,283).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i3-N300 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Core i3-N300

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10105 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.8 vs 67.6 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10105 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10105 better than Core i3-N300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10105 is ahead with a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-N300 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-N300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10105 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10105 comes in $187 cheaper on MSRP at $122 MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-N300 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 152.0% better value on MSRP (67.6 vs 26.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-N300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-10105 vs Core i3-N300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10105

The Core i3-10105 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: 8,242 points. Launch price was $122.

Core i3-N300

The Core i3-N300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 8,283 points. Launch price was $309.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10105 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-N300 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10105 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-10105 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i3-10105 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-N300 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10105 scores 8,242 against the Core i3-N300's 8,283 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-N300. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-10105	Core i3-N300
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+16%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+3600%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (per module)+700%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	8,242	8,283

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10105 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-N300 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10105	Core i3-N300
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10105) / not specified (Core i3-N300). The Core i3-10105 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-N300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-10105 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-10105	Core i3-N300
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10105 was priced at $122, while the Core i3-N300 came in at $309. On launch pricing ($122 vs $309), Core i3-10105 was $187 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10105 delivers 67.6 pts/$ vs 26.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-N300 — making the Core i3-10105 the 86.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10105	Core i3-N300
MSRP	$122-61%	$309
Performance per Dollar	67.6+152%	26.8
Release Date	2021	2023

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