Core i3-10300 vs Ryzen 5 2500X
Core i3-10300
Ryzen 5 2500X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-10300
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 2500X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-10300 | Ryzen 5 2500X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140.49) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Zen+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-10300 | Ryzen 5 2500X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+77%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140.49) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-10300 and Ryzen 5 2500X
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.
Ryzen 5 2500X
The Ryzen 5 2500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 9,388 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-10300 and Ryzen 5 2500X share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-10300 versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2500X — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-10300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-10300 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2500X uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10300 scores 9,290 against the Ryzen 5 2500X's 9,388 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 5 2500X. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10300 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2500X.
| Feature | Core i3-10300 | Ryzen 5 2500X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+10% | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+3% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 16 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 14 nm | 12 nm-14% |
| Architecture | Comet Lake (2020−2025) | Zen+ (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 9,290 | 9,388+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-10300 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2500X uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-10300 | Ryzen 5 2500X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($140.49 vs $80), the Ryzen 5 2500X is $60 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10300 delivers 66.1 pts/$ vs 117.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2500X — making the Ryzen 5 2500X the 55.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-10300 | Ryzen 5 2500X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $159 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $140.49 | $80-43% |
| Performance per Dollar | 66.1 | 117.3+77% |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2018 |
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