Intel Core i3-10100

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Intel Core i3-10100
The Core i3-10100 is Intel's most affordable 4-core, 8-thread CPU ever. As the successor of the i3-9100, clock speeds are about the same as we're still looking at 3.6 GHz for the base with a 100 MHz increase for turbo to 4.3 GHz. The key difference between the two is the use of Hyper-Threading, allowing the 10100 to support 8 threads opposed to just 4.
6
Cores
6
Threads
2.9 GHz
Base Clock
4.1 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 1151
Socket
65 W
TDP
No iGPU
Graphics
$139
Price
Release date:Apr 30, 2020Price at Launch:$182
Cores:6Threads:6
Base Clock:2.9 GHzBoost Clock:4.1 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:No
L2 Cache:1.5 MBL3 Cache:9 MB
Box Cooler:YesTDP:65 W
Socket:Socket LGA 1151Memory Support:DDR4-2666
Codename:Coffee Lake-RProcess Size:14 nm
Integrated Graphics:NoNPU:No
PCIe Support:PCIe 3.0, 16 lanes
Best CPUs 2021
Best CPUs 2021
Chosen by our editors as one of
the best products in its category

Performance Benchmarks

All benchmark data reflects aggregated results from dozens of tests conducted in TechSpot’s labs and compiled from our full library of CPU reviews. Single-core productivity scores are based primarily on Cinebench and Adobe Photoshop workloads. Multi-core results draw from Cinebench, Blender, Corona Benchmark, 7-Zip, Adobe Premiere Pro, and shader compilation tests. CPU gaming benchmarks are all 1080p runs (explainer) as published on TechSpot.

Single-Core Productivity

Multi-Core Productivity

Gaming Performance

Price History

Intel Core i3-10100 pricing

Last 6 months
Price Date
Current $139 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $148 Dec 6, 2025
Lowest* $75 Sep 12, 2025
Average $115
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
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Reviews and Ratings

74

Average Score

Based on 4 reviews

9.4

User Score

Based on 2,082 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Reasonable pricing
  • 4 cores with HyperThreading
  • Here in 2021, you can buy one without a search party

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Multiplier locked
  • Intel UHD Graphics 630 showing its age

Do you need to buy a Core i9 for gaming, and is a Core i3 sufficient for general desktop work? How about upgrading to a Core i5 if it's only $50 more, and how much faster is that going to be? Generally speaking, our CPU reviews provide more than enough...

By TechSpot on
85

The Core i3-10100 is a massive step up from the previous 9th generation Core i3s, but it does have to contend with the Ryzen 3 3300X, and that’s a problem. The Ryzen CPU is just as fast for gaming, has faster application performance and can be overclocked for even better results, it also supports high frequency memory on affordable B450 motherboards.

By TechSpot on
60

When shopping for computer components, it's often tempting to buy the latest, fastest hardware you can afford-but there's a line of diminishing returns that's too easy to cross. That's double-true here in 2021, with shortages of CPUs and GPUs up and...

By PCMag IN on
90

So you are looking for the cheapest new CPU you can find for gaming – you look at AMD's options well the Ryzen 3100 doesn't seem to exist, nor the 3300X, you can't buy the 4th gen APUs and even a 2200G is £135 right now. You could get a 1600 AF for...

By techteamgb.co.uk on
60

Intel's entry-level Core i3-10100 CPU requires an all-new motherboard platform to install, and our sample chip's performance numbers are far enough below AMD's competing Ryzens to stifle most of its four-core appeal.

By PCMag on

In terms of gaming performance, the deltas between the Core i3-10100 and the Ryzen 3 3300X are hardly noticeable. In multi-threaded content creation workloads, that’s where the latter really sets itself apart. However, as already mentioned, AMD’s extended platform support and overclocking ability for even the lower-end B series motherboards are what really seal this win for the 3300X.

By HardwareTimes on

With the Intel Core i3-10100, Intel offers a fast and economical desktop processor for office systems.

By NotebookCheck on

Si bien el Intel Core i3-10100 no esta preparado para tareas de renderizado o que requieran muchos hilos, parece ser un procesador muy competente en videojuegos, habiendo una gran mejoría con respecto al i3-9100F, que era la oferta mas destacada de Intel en la gama baja. Este debería ser un gran reemplazo y un producto para posicionarse mucho mejor en la gama de entrada. Os mantendremos informados.

By ProfesionalReview on

Following our Intel Core i5 10600K and Core i9 10900K Linux benchmarks, here is a look at the lowest-end Core "Comet Lake" processor in the form of the Core i3 10100. Thanks to the increased pressure from AMD Ryzen, Intel now has a 4 core / 8 thread...

By Phoronix on

Unless Intel can drop the price of the Core i3-10100 to around $100, AMD Ryzen is the better option. The only exception is if you do not plan on using a discrete graphics card. Here, the Core i3-10100 is an excellent choice for price/performance because its integrated graphics are good enough for all desktop work and the Quick Sync video engine accelerates video encoding in many applications.

By TechPowerUp on
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