Core i3-10105F vs Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Core i3-10105F

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2021
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
·······

Core i3-10105F vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 i3-10105F vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 i3-10105F vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10105F

2021

Why buy it

  • +137.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Costs $102 less on MSRP ($97 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +42.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
  • 50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 4,503).
  • 105.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$97 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10105F better than Ryzen 5 3600?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 42.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10105F pulls ahead with 137.2% better Geekbench multi-core. Ryzen 5 3600 also has the bigger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10105F is the stronger fit. You are getting 137.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-10105F is the better buy right now. Core i3-10105F comes in $102 cheaper on MSRP at $97 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 137.2% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 42.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 3.4% better value on MSRP (91.9 vs 88.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 3600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-10105F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10105F vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-10105F

The Core i3-10105F 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: 8,912 points. Launch price was $97.

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

Processing Power

The Core i3-10105F packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10105F versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-10105F (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-10105F uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10105F scores 8,912 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 66% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,461 vs 1,295, a 12% lead for the Core i3-10105F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,503 vs 1,898 (81.4% advantage for the Core i3-10105F). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10105F vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCore i3-10105FRyzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+5%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+3%
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake-R (2021)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
8,912
17,685+98%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,461+13%
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,503+137%
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10105F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10105F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 20% 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-10105F) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i3-10105F) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

FeatureCore i3-10105FRyzen 5 3600
Socket
LGA1200
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
24+50%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10105F) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureCore i3-10105FRyzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Yes
Target Use
Gaming/Budget Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10105F was priced at $97, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($97 vs $199), Core i3-10105F was $102 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10105F delivers 91.9 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Core i3-10105F the 3.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-10105FRyzen 5 3600
MSRP
$97-51%
$199
Performance per Dollar
91.9+3%
88.9
Release Date
2021
2019

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.