Core i5-8260U vs Core i3-10100T

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core i5-8260U is positioned at rank #239 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8260U

#64

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

98%

#227

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

401%

#228

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

395%

#229

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

363%

#230

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

361%

#231

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

358%

#233

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

346%

#234

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

331%

#235

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

331%

#236

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

322%

#239

Core i5-8260U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-8260U delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-10100T in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-8260U	Core i3-10100T
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($149)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-8260U	Core i3-10100T
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($149)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-8260U Benchmark Check

Core i3-10100T Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8260U and Core i3-10100T

Core i5-8260U

The Core i5-8260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,316 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i3-10100T

The Core i3-10100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,305 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8260U and Core i3-10100T share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8260U versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-10100T — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-8260U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-8260U is built on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-8260U scores 7,316 against the Core i3-10100T's 7,305 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-8260U. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-8260U vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-10100T.

Feature	Core i5-8260U	Core i3-10100T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3 GHz+87%
L3 Cache	6 MB	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	—
PassMark	7,316	7,305

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8260U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-10100T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.