Core i3-8300 vs Core i7-10510U

Intel

Core i3-8300

4 Cores4 Thrd62 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-10510U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2019
Core family
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Core i3-8300 vs Core i7-10510U 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 i3-8300 vs Core i7-10510U 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 i3-8300 vs Core i7-10510U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8300

2018

Why buy it

  • Costs $271 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
  • Delivers 194.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.2 vs 15.7 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-10510U.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10510U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (6,370 vs 6,408).
  • 313.3% higher power demand at 62W vs 15W.

Core i7-10510U

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 15W instead of 62W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.7 vs 46.2 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10510U better than Core i3-8300?
Yes. Core i7-10510U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 i7-10510U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.1% 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 i7-10510U 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 i7-10510U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-10510U comes in 196.4% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-8300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 194.6% better value on paper (46.2 vs 15.7 PassMark/$), 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 i7-10510U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8300 vs Core i7-10510U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-8300

The Core i3-8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $138.

Intel

Core i7-10510U

The Core i7-10510U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 6,408 points. Launch price was $409.

Processing Power

The Core i3-8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-10510U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-8300 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10510U — a 27.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-10510U (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i3-8300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-10510U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8300 scores 6,370 against the Core i7-10510U's 6,408 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-10510U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,327 vs 1,300, a 2.1% lead for the Core i3-8300 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i3-8300Core i7-10510U
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.9 GHz+32%
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+106%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
8 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
6,370
6,408
Cinebench R23 Multi
3,866
Geekbench 6 Single
1,327+2%
1,300
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,300
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10510U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8300 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-10510U — the Core i7-10510U supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i3-8300) and 400-series (Core i7-10510U).

FeatureCore i3-8300Core i7-10510U
Socket
LGA1151
FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
DDR4-2666+11%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8300) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10510U). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-8300) and UHD Graphics (Core i7-10510U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8300 targets Mainstream Desktop, Core i7-10510U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i3-8300 rivals Ryzen 3 2300X; Core i7-10510U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.

FeatureCore i3-8300Core i7-10510U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
UHD Graphics
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mainstream Desktop
Productivity
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8300 was priced at $138, while the Core i7-10510U came in at $409. On launch pricing ($138 vs $409), Core i3-8300 was $271 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8300 delivers 46.2 pts/$ vs 15.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-10510U — making the Core i3-8300 the 98.6% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-8300Core i7-10510U
MSRP
$138-66%
$409
Performance per Dollar
46.2+194%
15.7
Release Date
2018
2019

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