Core i3-10325 vs Core i5-10500T

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 i3-10325 vs Core i5-10500T 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 i3-10325 vs Core i5-10500T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10325

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $72 less on MSRP ($154 MSRP vs $226 MSRP).
✅Delivers 48.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.8 vs 44.9 PassMark/$ ($154 MSRP vs $226 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i5-10500T

2020

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10325 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,140 vs 10,291).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.9 vs 66.8 PassMark/$ ($226 MSRP vs $154 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10325 better than Core i5-10500T?

Yes. Core i3-10325 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.5% 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 i3-10325 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.9% 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 i3-10325 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10325 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10325 comes in $72 cheaper on MSRP at $154 MSRP versus $226 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 48.9% better value on MSRP (66.8 vs 44.9 PassMark/$), 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 i3-10325 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10325 vs Core i5-10500T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10325

The Core i3-10325 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 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 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: 10,291 points. Launch price was $154.

Core i5-10500T

The Core i5-10500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 10,140 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10325 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-10500T offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-10325 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-10500T — a 21.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-10325 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-10325 is built on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-10325 scores 10,291 against the Core i5-10500T's 10,140 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i3-10325. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10325 vs 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-10500T.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i5-10500T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+24%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+70%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB Intel® Smart Cache+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	—
PassMark	10,291+1%	10,140

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i5-10500T
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10325 was priced at $154, while the Core i5-10500T came in at $226. On launch pricing ($154 vs $226), Core i3-10325 was $72 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10325 delivers 66.8 pts/$ vs 44.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-10500T — making the Core i3-10325 the 39.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i5-10500T
MSRP	$154-32%	$226
Performance per Dollar	66.8+49%	44.9
Release Date	2021	2020

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