Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i5-10500 (Comparison Review)

Are you on the lookout for a phenomenal budget desktop processor? Then you are reading the right post. You see, today, we have two affordable desktop processors from a reputed maker in the form of Intel.

We will be discussing the Intel Core i3-10100 Desktop Processor vs the Intel Core i5-10500 Desktop Processor. The Core i3 and Core i5 are crucial products from the manufacturer. The Intel Core i3-10100 desktop processor is one of its affordable choices.

When you are on the lookout for a 4-core, 8-thread model, then you have it. Besides, it comes almost on par with the AMD Ryzen 3 series, which costs around $120. This unit is the successor of the Core i3-9100 desktop processor.

It comes with phenomenal clock speeds that are close to 3.6 GHz for the base. There is a massive increase in the turbo power of the unit from 100 MHz increase to 4.3 GHz. Besides, you also have some increase in the Hyperthreading feature as it comes with the support for 8 threads as opposed to just 4.

Moreover, the Core i3 is much cheaper than the Core i7-7700 model, which is priced at more than $300, which is more than twice the amount. Though the Core i3 is an entry-level product, it comes infused with tremendous features in it.

In close competition with AMD, Intel had other products in the line. The 8th and 9th generation processor was released in the market after 8 years. You can note that the Core i3 desktop model is a 2-core/4-thread with 3 or 4 MB of L3 cache.

The Intel Core i5-10500 desktop processor is a good product. You can find that it comes infused with a 6-core processor. It is slightly more expensive than the Core i5-10400. You will be delighted to find out that it can operate at 3.10 GHz.

Besides, when it is at 4.50 GHz, the maximum turbo boost frequency comes to 200 MHz, more than the Core i5-10400. The product is produced with the 10th generation Comet Lake microarchitecture.

This enables the Hyperthreading and increases L3 cache sizes. When you compare it to the earlier models, they were 6-core/6-thread chips with 9 MB cache. It is good to know that the 10th generation Core i5 model comes powered with the ability to offer a 6-core Comet Lake silicon.

Let us read further to know more about these fantastic models. We have also given the winner at the end of the review.

INTEL CORE I3-10100	INTEL CORE I5-10500
PROS	PROS
The model operates at a higher base frequency. The unit has a significant performance increase over Core i3-9100. It can run multi-threaded programs faster. It comes having 4 cores with Hyperthreading. The processor has integrated graphics & heatsink.	The unit comes with a large performance increase over the previous generation. The model offers you with exceptional gaming experience. It comes having 6 cores with Hyperthreading. It has a 6 MB larger L3 cache size. The processor has integrated graphics & heatsink.
CONS	CONS
The product’s maximum turbo frequency is lower.	The product has a lower base frequency.
CHECK ON AMAZON	CHECK ON AMAZON

Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i5-10500: Design & Features

The design & features of the desktop processor are crucial factors. Users will decide on the model based on these components. It is produced on the Comet Lake microarchitecture that the maker produces.

It was designed on the previous 14 nm++ silicon fabrication process, which is pretty compelling. Users will be glad to know that the per-core performance (IPC) of the chipsets is almost on par with the Skylake that was produced in 2016.

The model has 4 cores and Hyperthreading that are coupled with 8 logical processors for intense performance. The 4 cores are protected by 6 MB of L3 cache, which might not be the best for products.

Earlier, the maker produced models that came infused with a 6 MB of cache. It was found on the 4-core/4-thread Core i5 SKUs. You will want to beware that it was reserved for 8MB for the 8-thread Core i7 parts.

Perhaps the maker wants to do something else with the 10th generation models, which is a good thing to know. It comes with 6MB, and the other expensive models in the form of the Core i3-10320 & Core i3-10300 have 8 MB of cache.

It comes with a maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 4.30 GHz. Moreover, there is also a memory of 3.60 GHz. You would be happy to know that it comes with integrated graphics having Gen 9.5-based Intel UHD 630.

The graphics can clock almost up to 1.10 GHz. It is capable of providing you with extensive gaming abilities in the form of eSports and low-gaming PC capabilities. This may take away the shine from AMD.

You would want to know that the Comet Lake-S silicon is similar to the previous four generations of the maker. It comes with 2 rows of CPU cores and the iGPU on the other side. You can find a Ringbus Interconnect and the iGPU on the system agent.

The component present on the unit’s system agent is the PCI-Express gen 3.0 root-complex, memory controller, memory PHY, and DMI interface. You can notice that the Ringbus consist of Gen 9.5 integrated graphics.
It features 24 execution units, and all the SKUs present on the desktop found on the 10th gen processor series have a GT2 trim. The Intel Core i5-10500 desktop processor offers you with exceptional design & features.

It is an unlocked processor that cannot use the base clock multiplier for overclocking purposes. The maker has removed the hassle of the power management present on it. You can now make use of the power limits on budget models.

The base clock speeds can be increased and provide you with outstanding performance on the desktop processor. You can adjust it with the help of the DMI and PCIe clocks. It comes with the TDP (PL 1) that is set at 65Watts, offering you more capabilities.

That is because the multipliers are set higher. Overall, the design & features present on the Core i3 and the Core i5 models are good. However, the features present on the Core i5 seem to be slightly larger than the Core i3, which is a good thing to see for the higher price point.

Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i5-10500: Setup & Performance

The setup & performance is another exciting part of any desktop processor. Again, consumers are particular about the performance, which happens to be the main aspect of any processor. Let us read and find out how these two models do in setup & performance.

The Intel Core i3-10100 desktop processor has a good setup & performance to it. The model comes infused with the Hyperthreading feature. Compared to the earlier model, the Core i3-9100, it provides the unit with a fantastic improvement in performance.

They have increased the size of the L3 cache on the processor for the Comet Lake. Unfortunately, this model does not come with a higher MB. Besides, the TDP comes with the 65Watts that were expected.

It comes with an infusion of a multi-threaded application. The good news is that they are tremendous improvements in performance over previous models. Likewise, the AMD Ryzen 3 series is able to outclass the Core i3 model.

But that does not mean that the Core i3 is not good. Its competitors are priced much higher, providing you with a better figure. But, when you are not going to do too much video work or gaming, this processor should be the one for you.

Moreover, it does a tremendous job when gaming and is able to compete with the higher Core i5 units. Sadly, the Ryzen 3 series was able to do much better than the Core i3. Though the differences are pretty slight, you can notice the change in the gaming or video rendering projects.

You can, however, use this Core i3 model and get yourself a quicker GPU. It is something on the likes of the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 Gaming. This 4-core/8-thread model could be enough for you for now.

The Intel Core i5-10500 desktop processor provides you with exceptional setup & performance. You can find that it comes embedded with the 6-core Comet Lake-S produced using a similar kind of 14 nm++ processes.

It was done on most of the earlier two generations of the processors. These were designed by Intel. The die on this processor is quite similar to that found on the 6-core Coffee Lake models. Besides, they are identical to the models produced for the past four generations.

You can notice that it comes with 2 rows of CPU cores. Then you can see the iGPU on one side. Much of the unit’s components are placed inside the system agent. As you know, the system agent of the model comes with several elements in it.

Some of them include PCI-Express gen 3.0 root-complex, the memory controller, memory PHY, and DMI interface. You will want to know that the iGPU solution that is present on the silicon has been disabled by the maker.

We were delighted to know that the core is the same in design as the Skylake. This helps it immensely to perform much better. Moreover, you can notice there is no increase in the IPC. The manufacturer is trying hard to produce a single-threaded model for gaming applications.

Besides, you can note that it comes with good application performance. That revolves around the increase in the clock speeds. You will want to know that it makes use of intelligent boosting algorithms.

Boosting algorithms help it produce the clock speeds. That is good to know. It comes with a nameplate base frequency of 3.10 GHz. There is a maximum Turbo Boost frequency that comes to around 4.50 GHz.

Those are pretty standard but phenomenal. But, if you were to compare it to the faster Core i9-10900K, there is no Turbo Boost Max 3.0. Not to mention, it does not come with the thermal velocity boost.

You would know that it comes with an increase in the power limits. This is to the Core i7-8700K processor set at PL1 at 65Watts. You can also see the PL2 set at 134Watts. Readers will want to know that produces of motherboards have chosen not to make use of the PL2.

It is heartening to know that the maker provides you with significant overclocking enhancements with the 10th generation. You can now use the Hyperthreading found on the model to excitingly perform your live streaming and gaming.

Of course, a few number of cores disable the HTT. Besides, you can also see that some of the cores can have them enabled too. You will also know that the maker has given this model the ability to overclock the DMI chipset.

The DMI is PCIe-based that offers tremendous transfer between the chipset and the processor. It makes use of the DMI 3.0 and removed the PCIe clock domains. This was done because you can overclock the DMI without flexing your PC setup.

All in all, the setup & performance of the models were interesting. When you are on the lookout for a steady model, then the Core i5 is good. But it is expensive. However, if you are alright with lower performance, then the Core i3 should get the job done.

Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i5-10500: Price

The Intel Core i3-10100 Desktop Processor is priced under $123. It comes with several interesting features. You will want to know that it is compatible with Intel 400 series chipset-based motherboards.

Moreover, it comes with Intel Optane Memory Support and includes a cooler. This feature works like a charm for ensuring that the model stays cool when you push it too hard. This is highly unexcepted from a $100 product.

The Intel Core i5-10500 Desktop Processor is priced under $210. Yes, there is a price difference of almost $80. The unit comes with several exciting features. It comes with 6 Cores / 12 Threads and a Socket Type LGA 1200.

You can also find that it has up to 4.5 GHz. It is also compatible with Intel 400 series chipset-based motherboards. That means you can connect your processor with the motherboards belonging to the 400 series from Intel to design your own PCs.

Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i5-10500: Verdict

We have ended our comparison review on the Intel Core i3-10100 Desktop Processor vs the Intel Core i5-10500 Desktop Processor. We hope you liked what you read in the above post. You can go through it again if you have not made your decision.

Both are solid options for a desktop processor for your new PC. The Intel Core i3-10100 processor is a fantastic choice in the market. It is priced affordable at just under $125. Consumers will be glad to know that it is the perfect successor to the Core i3-9100 model.

But it has intense competition from the newly released AMD 3 series products. You see, the Ryzen 3 series is priced at $100 and competes with the speed of the Core i3 model. However, the Core i3 model is powerful enough to run smoothly on a budget motherboard.

That is because the 2666 MHz memory provides acceptable gaming performance. However, this figure falls behind the top-end model in the AMD 3 series. Besides, Intel has integrated graphics that come with the Quick Sync video engine.

Now, you can enjoy your video games and movies application. Sadly, the AMD 3 series does not have a graphics card, and you need to spend more money on that. Besides, they are not produced on the latest Zen 2 architecture.

The Intel Core i5-10500 desktop processor is an exceptional product. It is priced around the $200 range. You can get slightly cheaper if you keep your eyes open for those discounts during the sales season.

It is somewhat costlier than the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor. The unit is fantastic to use for most gaming purposes. It also comes with a cooling system that is quite good and definitely helps.
However, AMD has a cheaper version of the model. But the Intel model makes sense. That is because you will get better performance and cross the 3 GHz barriers. The model is terrific in its capabilities.

The Intel Core i3-10100 could be the better model as it is much cheaper than its counterpart. The Intel Core i5-10500 is the ultimate model because it has a faster CPU speed, 4 more CPU threads, and a bigger L2 cache.

You can also notice that it comes with a higher PassMark result, bigger L3 cache, and bigger L1 cache. There is a higher multi-core Geekbench 5 result & higher single-core Geekbench 5 result. Our winner in this comparison review between the Intel Core i3-10100 model vs the Intel Core i5-10500 processor is the Core i5 desktop processor.