Core i3-10300 vs Core i3-10305

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 i3-10300 vs Core i3-10305 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 i3-10300 vs Core i3-10305: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10300

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 62W instead of 65W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10305 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10305.

Core i3-10305

2021

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-10300 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-10300.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,210 vs 9,290).
❌Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Core i3-10300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10300 better than Core i3-10305?

Yes. Core i3-10300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-10300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.6% 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 i3-10300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-10300 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-10305 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i3-10300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10305 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-10305 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 i3-10300 vs Core i3-10305 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10300

The Core i3-10300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,290 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-10305

The Core i3-10305 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 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 9,210 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10300 and Core i3-10305 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10300 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-10305 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-10305 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i3-10300 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-10305 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10300 scores 9,290 against the Core i3-10305's 9,210 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-10300. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-10300	Core i3-10305
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	9,290	9,210
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,536

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-10300	Core i3-10305
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
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: not specified (Core i3-10300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10305). The Core i3-10305 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-10300 requires a dedicated GPU.