Core i3-10305 vs Core i5-8400

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 i5-8400 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 i5-8400: 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: +15.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $33 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.8 vs 50.7 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-8400.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,210 vs 9,229).

Core i5-8400

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10305 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 50.7 vs 61.8 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10305.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10305 better than Core i5-8400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10305 is ahead with a 15.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 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 $33 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-8400 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 21.9% better value on MSRP (61.8 vs 50.7 PassMark/$), 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 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10305 vs Core i5-8400 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 i5-8400

The Core i5-8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,229 points. Launch price was $182.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10305 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-8400 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-10305 versus 4 GHz on the Core i5-8400 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-10305 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-10305 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8400 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10305 scores 9,210 against the Core i5-8400's 9,229 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-8400. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10305 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400.

Feature	Core i3-10305	Core i5-8400
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+13%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+36%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	9,210	9,229
Geekbench 6 Single	1,536	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10305 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z490,B460 (Core i3-10305) and Intel 300 series (Core i5-8400).

Feature	Core i3-10305	Core i5-8400
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10305) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-10305	Core i5-8400
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10305 was priced at $149, while the Core i5-8400 came in at $182. On launch pricing ($149 vs $182), Core i3-10305 was $33 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10305 delivers 61.8 pts/$ vs 50.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-8400 — making the Core i3-10305 the 19.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10305	Core i5-8400
MSRP	$149-18%	$182
Performance per Dollar	61.8+22%	50.7
Release Date	2021	2017

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