Core i3-8100 vs Core i5-10210U

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 i3-8100 vs Core i5-10210U 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 i3-8100 vs Core i5-10210U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100

2017

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-10210U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-10210U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10210U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i5-10210U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.

Core i5-10210U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,071 vs 6,073).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8100.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10210U better than Core i3-8100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-10210U is ahead with a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-10210U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-10210U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-8100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (51.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-10210U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8100 vs Core i5-10210U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100

The Core i3-8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,073 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i5-10210U

The Core i5-10210U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,071 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i5-10210U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-10210U — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10210U (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-8100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10210U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100 scores 6,073 against the Core i5-10210U's 6,071 — a 0% lead for the Core i3-8100. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i5-10210U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+17%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+125%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	6,073	6,071
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10210U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i5-10210U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100) / not specified (Core i5-10210U). The Core i3-8100 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-10210U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100 targets Budget Desktop.