
Core i5-8600T vs Core i3-10305

Core i5-8600T

Core i3-10305
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8600T
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-10305
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-8600T | Core i3-10305 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($213) | ✅ More affordable ($100) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake-R (2021) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-8600T | Core i3-10305 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+113%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($213) | ✅ More affordable ($100) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8600T and Core i3-10305

Core i5-8600T
The Core i5-8600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,201 points. Launch price was $213.

Core i3-10305
The Core i3-10305 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,210 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-8600T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i3-10305 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8600T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-8600T versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-10305 — a 19.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-10305 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-8600T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-10305 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8600T scores 9,201 against the Core i3-10305's 9,210 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-10305. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,224 vs 1,536, a 22.6% lead for the Core i3-10305 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8600T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10305.
| Feature | Core i5-8600T | Core i3-10305 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.5 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.8 GHz+65% |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total)+13% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Comet Lake-R (2021) |
| PassMark | 9,201 | 9,210 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 4,633 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,224 | 1,536+25% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 4,470 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-8600T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-10305 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 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 i5-8600T) and Z490,B460 (Core i3-10305).
| Feature | Core i5-8600T | Core i3-10305 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-8600T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10305). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8600T) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10305) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i5-8600T | Core i3-10305 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-8600T launched at $213 MSRP, while the Core i3-10305 debuted at $149. At current prices ($213 vs $100), the Core i3-10305 is $113 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8600T delivers 43.2 pts/$ vs 92.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-10305 — making the Core i3-10305 the 72.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-8600T | Core i3-10305 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $213 | $149-30% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $213 | $100-53% |
| Performance per Dollar | 43.2 | 92.1+113% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2021 |
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