Core i3-10305 vs Core i5-1145G7

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 i3-10305 vs Core i5-1145G7 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 i3-10305 vs Core i5-1145G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10305

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-1145G7.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,210 vs 9,266).
❌Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Core i5-1145G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Core i5-1145G7

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10305 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10305.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10305 better than Core i5-1145G7?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10305 is ahead with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1145G7 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1145G7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10305 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10305 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $149 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-1145G7 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-10305 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 i3-10305 vs Core i5-1145G7 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-1145G7

The Core i5-1145G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,266 points. Launch price was $309.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-10305 and Core i5-1145G7 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-10305 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1145G7 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-10305 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-10305 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-1145G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i3-10305 scores 9,210 against the Core i5-1145G7's 9,266 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-1145G7. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,536 vs 1,653, a 7.3% lead for the Core i5-1145G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-10305	Core i5-1145G7
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+46%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)
PassMark	9,210	9,266
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	5,195
Geekbench 6 Single	1,536	1,653+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,764

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10305 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-1145G7 uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10305 versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-1145G7 — the Core i5-1145G7 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-10305 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z490,B460 (Core i3-10305) and SoC (Core i5-1145G7).

Feature	Core i3-10305	Core i5-1145G7
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1145G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10305) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1145G7). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10305) and Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU) (Core i5-1145G7) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1145G7 targets Business. Direct competitor: Core i5-1145G7 rivals Core i5-1135G7.

Feature	Core i3-10305	Core i5-1145G7
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Business