Core i3-10105T vs Core i7-8709G

Intel

Core i3-10105T

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i7-8709G

4 Cores8 Thrd100 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2018
Similar parts
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Core i3-10105T vs Core i7-8709G 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 i7-8709G 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 i7-8709G: 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

  • Costs $216 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $338 MSRP).
  • Delivers 172.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 64.1 vs 23.5 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $338 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 100W, a 65W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-8709G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8709G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (7,815 vs 7,934).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-8709G

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.5 vs 64.1 PassMark/$ ($338 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).
  • 185.7% higher power demand at 100W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10105T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10105T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8709G better than Core i3-10105T?
Yes. Core i7-8709G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8709G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.5% 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 i7-8709G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-8709G is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-10105T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-8709G comes in 177.0% more expensive on MSRP at $338 MSRP versus $122 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10105T is also 172.9% better value on MSRP (64.1 vs 23.5 PassMark/$), 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 i3-10105T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10105T vs Core i7-8709G 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 i7-8709G

The Core i7-8709G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,934 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10105T and Core i7-8709G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10105T versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8709G — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i7-8709G (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-10105T uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8709G uses Kaby Lake G (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10105T scores 7,815 against the Core i7-8709G's 7,934 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-8709G. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10105T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8709G.

FeatureCore i3-10105TCore i7-8709G
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.1 GHz+5%
Base Clock
3 GHz
3.1 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake-R (2021)
Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark
7,815
7,934+2%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,200
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,000
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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10105T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8709G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-10105TCore i7-8709G
Socket
LGA1200
FCBGA2270
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-10105T) / not specified (Core i7-8709G). The Core i3-10105T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-8709G requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i3-10105TCore i7-8709G
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10105T was priced at $122, while the Core i7-8709G came in at $338. On launch pricing ($122 vs $338), Core i3-10105T was $216 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10105T delivers 64.1 pts/$ vs 23.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-8709G — making the Core i3-10105T the 92.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-10105TCore i7-8709G
MSRP
$122-64%
$338
Performance per Dollar
64.1+173%
23.5
Release Date
2021
2018

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