Core i5-10500 vs Ryzen 3 5300G

Intel

Core i5-10500

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 5300G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Ryzen family
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Core i5-10500 vs Ryzen 3 5300G 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 i5-10500 vs Ryzen 3 5300G 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 i5-10500 vs Ryzen 3 5300G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10500

2020

Why buy it

  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 3 5300G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 65.3 vs 100.4 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).

Ryzen 3 5300G

2021

Why buy it

  • Costs $70 less on MSRP ($130 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
  • Delivers 53.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.4 vs 65.3 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (13,050 vs 13,067).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10500 better than Ryzen 3 5300G?
Yes. Core i5-10500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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 i5-10500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-10500 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 3 5300G is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10500 comes in 53.8% more expensive on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $130 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 5300G is also 53.6% better value on MSRP (100.4 vs 65.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 3 5300G can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 5300G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10500 vs Ryzen 3 5300G Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-10500

The Core i5-10500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,067 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 3 5300G

The Ryzen 3 5300G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 13,050 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 5300G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-10500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10500 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 3 5300G — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-10500 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-10500 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 5300G uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10500 scores 13,067 against the Ryzen 3 5300G's 13,050 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-10500. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10500 vs 8 MB on the Ryzen 3 5300G.

FeatureCore i5-10500Ryzen 3 5300G
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz+7%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz
4 GHz+29%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark
13,067
13,050
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 5300G uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10500Ryzen 3 5300G
Socket
LGA1200
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10500) / not specified (Ryzen 3 5300G). The Core i5-10500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 3 5300G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10500 targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i5-10500Ryzen 3 5300G
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10500 was priced at $200, while the Ryzen 3 5300G came in at $130. On launch pricing ($200 vs $130), Ryzen 3 5300G was $70 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10500 delivers 65.3 pts/$ vs 100.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 5300G — making the Ryzen 3 5300G the 42.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-10500Ryzen 3 5300G
MSRP
$200
$130-35%
Performance per Dollar
65.3
100.4+54%
Release Date
2020
2021

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