Core i3-10105 vs M1

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 M1 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 M1: 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

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while M1 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than M1 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $122 MSRP, while M1 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

M1

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,207 vs 8,242).
❌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 M1?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, M1 is ahead with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10105 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. M1 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10105 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 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 at an unclear MSRP at $122 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that M1 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (67.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10105 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10105 vs M1 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.

M1

The M1 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 November 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.064 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Passmark benchmark score: 8,207 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10105 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the M1 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the M1 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10105 versus 3.2 GHz on the M1 — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-10105 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.064 GHz). The Core i3-10105 is built on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-10105 scores 8,242 against the M1's 8,207 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-10105. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10105 vs 16 MB on the M1.

Feature	Core i3-10105	M1
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+38%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+79%	2.064 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	16 MB+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	16 MB+6300%
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	—
PassMark	8,242	8,207

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10105) / not specified (M1). The Core i3-10105 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the M1 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-10105 targets Desktop.