Core i3-10105T vs Core i5-9400H

Intel

Core i3-10105T

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i5-9400H

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Core i3-10105T vs Core i5-9400H 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 i3-10105T vs Core i5-9400H 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 i3-10105T vs Core i5-9400H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10105T

2021

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $60 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
  • Delivers 49.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 64.1 vs 42.8 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-9400H.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-9400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i5-9400H

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (7,794 vs 7,815).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.8 vs 64.1 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).
  • 28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10105T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10105T better than Core i5-9400H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-9400H is ahead with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10105T pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i5-9400H also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10105T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-10105T is the better buy right now. Core i3-10105T comes in $60 cheaper on MSRP at $122 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-9400H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 49.6% better value on MSRP (64.1 vs 42.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-10105T 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 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10105T vs Core i5-9400H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-10105T

The Core i3-10105T 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 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,815 points. Launch price was $134.

Intel

Core i5-9400H

The Core i5-9400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,794 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10105T and Core i5-9400H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10105T versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-9400H — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-9400H (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-10105T uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-9400H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10105T scores 7,815 against the Core i5-9400H's 7,794 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-10105T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,200 vs 1,341, a 11.1% lead for the Core i5-9400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10105T vs 8 MB on the Core i5-9400H.

FeatureCore i3-10105TCore i5-9400H
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.3 GHz+10%
Base Clock
3 GHz+20%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
8 MB+33%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
1 MB+300%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake-R (2021)
Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark
7,815
7,794
Geekbench 6 Single
1,200
1,341+12%
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10105T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-9400H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Q470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Q570,Z590 (Core i3-10105T) and HM370,QM370 (Core i5-9400H).

FeatureCore i3-10105TCore i5-9400H
Socket
LGA1200
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-10105T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9400H). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10105T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9400H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9400H targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.

FeatureCore i3-10105TCore i5-9400H
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
Yes
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
High Performance Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10105T was priced at $122, while the Core i5-9400H came in at $182. On launch pricing ($122 vs $182), Core i3-10105T was $60 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10105T delivers 64.1 pts/$ vs 42.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-9400H — making the Core i3-10105T the 39.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-10105TCore i5-9400H
MSRP
$122-33%
$182
Performance per Dollar
64.1+50%
42.8
Release Date
2021
2019

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