Core i3-1305U vs Core i3-10100

Intel

Core i3-1305U

5 Cores6 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2023
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i3-10100

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i3-1305U vs Core i3-10100 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i3-1305U vs Core i3-10100 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 i3-1305U vs Core i3-10100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1305U

2023

Why buy it

  • +66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,388 vs 5,612).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10100.

Core i3-10100

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i3-1305U.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $122 MSRP, while Core i3-1305U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i3-1305U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10100 better than Core i3-1305U?
Yes. Core i3-10100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 27.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i3-10100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.8% 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 i3-10100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 27.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-10100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $122 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (69.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-1305U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1305U vs Core i3-10100 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-1305U

The Core i3-1305U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 8,634 points. Launch price was $309.

Intel

Core i3-10100

The Core i3-10100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,526 points. Launch price was $130.

Processing Power

The Core i3-1305U packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i3-10100 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-1305U has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-1305U versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-10100 — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-1305U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-1305U uses the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i3-10100 uses Comet Lake-S (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1305U scores 8,634 against the Core i3-10100's 8,526 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-1305U. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,388 vs 5,612 (24.5% advantage for the Core i3-10100). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,960 vs 1,430, a 31.3% lead for the Core i3-1305U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,900 vs 4,300 (77.4% advantage for the Core i3-10100). L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1305U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-10100.

FeatureCore i3-1305UCore i3-10100
Cores / Threads
5 / 6+25%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz+5%
4.3 GHz
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
3.6 GHz+125%
L3 Cache
10 MB (total)+67%
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-U (2023)
Comet Lake-S (2020)
PassMark
8,634+1%
8,526
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,388
5,612+28%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,960+37%
1,430
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,900
4,300+126%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1305U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i3-10100 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Core i3-1305U versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10100 — the Core i3-1305U supports 95% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-10100 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-1305U) vs 16 (Core i3-10100) — the Core i3-1305U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-U (Core i3-1305U) and 400-series,500-series (Core i3-10100).

FeatureCore i3-1305UCore i3-10100
Socket
FCBGA1744
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5200+95%
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB
128 GB+33%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-1305U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-10100). Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3-1305U) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10100) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1305U targets Budget Laptop, Core i3-10100 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i3-10100 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X.

FeatureCore i3-1305UCore i3-10100
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Budget Laptop
Gaming