Core i3-10105 vs Core i5-10400H

Intel

Core i3-10105

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i5-10400H

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i3-10105 vs Core i5-10400H 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 i3-10105 vs Core i5-10400H 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 i5-10400H: 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

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (8,242 vs 8,246).
    • Launch MSRP is still $122 MSRP, while Core i5-10400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

    Core i5-10400H

    2020

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i5-10400H better than Core i3-10105?
    Yes. Core i5-10400H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% 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 i5-10400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core i5-10400H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-10105 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $122 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10105 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (67.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Core i3-10105 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Core i3-10105 vs Core i5-10400H Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    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.

    Intel

    Core i5-10400H

    The Core i5-10400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). 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: 8,246 points. Launch price was $149.

    Processing Power

    Both the Core i3-10105 and Core i5-10400H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10105 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-10400H — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400H (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-10105 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10400H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10105 scores 8,242 against the Core i5-10400H's 8,246 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-10400H. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

    FeatureCore i3-10105Core i5-10400H
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 8
    4 / 8
    Boost Clock
    4.4 GHz
    4.6 GHz+5%
    Base Clock
    3.7 GHz+42%
    2.6 GHz
    L3 Cache
    6 MB (total)
    6 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    256 kB (per core)
    256K (per core)
    Process
    14 nm
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Comet Lake-R (2021)
    Comet Lake-H (2020)
    PassMark
    8,242
    8,246
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,391
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i3-10105 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10400H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10105 versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i5-10400H — the Core i5-10400H supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

    FeatureCore i3-10105Core i5-10400H
    Socket
    LGA1200
    BGA1440
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-2666
    DDR4-2933+10%
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB
    128 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    16
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10105) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400H). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10105) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-10400H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-10105 targets Desktop, Core i5-10400H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.

    FeatureCore i3-10105Core i5-10400H
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    UHD Graphics 630
    UHD Graphics 630
    Unlocked
    No
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    Target Use
    Desktop
    Performance Laptop