Core i3-N300 vs Core i5-10300H

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-N300 vs Core i5-10300H 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-N300 vs Core i5-10300H: 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-N300

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10300H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Core i5-10300H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10300H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-10300H

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-N300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,209 vs 8,283).
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i3-N300 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-N300 better than Core i5-10300H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-10300H is ahead with a 8.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-N300 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-N300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-N300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-N300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-10300H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-N300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-N300 vs Core i5-10300H Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-N300

The Core i3-N300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 8,283 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i5-10300H

The Core i5-10300H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,209 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-N300 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-10300H offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10300H — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-10300H (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-N300 uses the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-10300H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-N300 scores 8,283 against the Core i5-10300H's 8,209 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-N300. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i5-10300H
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.5 GHz+18%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+2400%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-N (2023)	Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark	8,283	8,209
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,533

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-N300 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10300H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i5-10300H
Socket	FCBGA1264	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-N300) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10300H). The Core i5-10300H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-N300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10300H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10300H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.