Core i3-10300T vs Core i5-8259U

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 i3-10300T vs Core i5-8259U 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 i3-10300T vs Core i5-8259U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10300T

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-8259U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-8259U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $157 MSRP, while Core i5-8259U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 35W vs 28W.

Core i5-8259U

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 35W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,843 vs 7,879).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-10300T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10300T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10300T better than Core i5-8259U?

Yes. Core i3-10300T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-10300T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.4% 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 i3-10300T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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 i3-10300T is the better buy right now. Core i3-10300T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $157 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (50.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-10300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), 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 i3-10300T vs Core i5-8259U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10300T

The Core i3-10300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,879 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-8259U

The Core i5-8259U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,843 points. Launch price was $320.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10300T and Core i5-8259U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10300T versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-8259U — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-10300T (base: 3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-8259U is built on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-10300T scores 7,879 against the Core i5-8259U's 7,843 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-10300T. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-10300T vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8259U.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i5-8259U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+30%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,879	7,843
Geekbench 6 Single	1,313	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,090	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10300T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8259U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10300T	Core i5-8259U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1528
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10300T) / not specified (Core i5-8259U). The Core i3-10300T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-8259U requires a dedicated GPU.