Intel Core i3-10105 vs Intel Core i3-1210U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1210U and Intel Core i3-10105 are two Intel processors aimed at different market segments: the i3-1210U is a mobile part with 6 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-10105 is a desktop part with 4 cores and 8 threads. Both share a 4.40 GHz boost clock, but the i3-1210U starts at 1.00 GHz and the i3-10105 at 3.70 GHz. In the database's head-to-head comparisons, the i3-1210U wins 14 of 17 tests, with the i3-10105 taking 3. The i3-1210U also posts a higher average benchmark score (12795 vs 12316) and a slightly higher percentile ranking (68th vs 67th).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i3-1210U dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 847 against 708, a 19.6% lead. In R15 singlecore, it scores 119 versus 99, a 20.2% margin. R20 multicore shows 3533 against 2952, a 19.7% lead, and R20 singlecore shows 498 versus 416, also 19.7%. R23 multicore follows the same pattern: 8413 versus 7029, a 19.7% advantage, and R23 singlecore is 1187 versus 992, again 19.7%. The consistency of the margin, roughly 20% across all six Cinebench tests, indicates a broad architectural advantage in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering workloads.

In PassMark tests, the i3-1210U wins seven of the ten unique categories. Its largest win is find prime numbers, where it scores 51 against 20, a 155% advantage. Data encryption follows at 133.1% (6348 vs 2723). Physics shows a 67.2% lead (781 vs 467). Floating point math is 32.7% ahead (23815 vs 17949). Single-thread performance is 29.5% higher (3354 vs 2589). Multithread is 24.1% ahead (10228 vs 8241). Integer math is 20.5% ahead (34445 vs 28577). The single-thread result appears twice in the database, and the i3-1210U wins both by the same 29.5% margin.

The i3-10105 takes three PassMark categories. Extended instructions is its biggest win: 8648 versus 5852, a 32.3% margin. Random string sorting follows: 15899 versus 11727, a 26.2% margin. Data compression is the third: 128464 versus 102965, a 19.8% margin. These are the only three head-to-head tests where the i3-10105 comes out ahead.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded wins, the i3-1210U is the stronger choice for compute-heavy tasks. It leads in all Cinebench versions, which are standard rendering benchmarks, and in PassMark's integer, floating point, encryption, prime number, physics, and multithread tests. This suggests it handles both single-threaded responsiveness and multi-threaded throughput well, despite its lower base clock. The i3-10105, by contrast, wins in data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting. These are more specialized workloads, often involving string manipulation or instruction-level optimizations. The i3-10105 also has a higher base clock (3.70 GHz vs 1.00 GHz) and a desktop TDP of 65W, which may help in sustained tasks, though the benchmark data does not show a general advantage.

From a use-case perspective, the i3-1210U is a mobile processor (market segment: Mobile) with a 9W TDP, while the i3-10105 is a desktop part (market segment: Desktop) with a 65W TDP. The i3-1210U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i3-10105 supports only DDR4. The i3-1210U also has PCIe Gen 4, while the i3-10105 has PCIe Gen 3. These differences point to the i3-1210U being the more modern platform, even though it is designed for lower power.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, the two CPUs are generations apart. The i3-1210U is built on Alder Lake-U, a 10 nm process, while the i3-10105 is Comet Lake-R on 14 nm. The i3-1210U has 6 cores and 8 threads; the i3-10105 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Both have a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, but the base clocks differ sharply: 1.00 GHz for the i3-1210U and 3.70 GHz for the i3-10105. The i3-1210U's TDP is 9W, versus 65W for the i3-10105.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i3-1210U has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 10 MB of shared L3. The i3-10105 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i3-1210U therefore has more L3 cache overall, and a larger per-core L2.

Memory support: the i3-1210U supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the i3-10105 supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory, but the i3-10105 lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s; the i3-1210U does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. PCIe connectivity differs: the i3-1210U has Gen 4, while the i3-10105 has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are also different: the i3-1210U has UHD Graphics 64EU, the i3-10105 has UHD Graphics 630.

Sockets and form factors: the i3-1210U uses Intel BGA 1781, a mobile socket, while the i3-10105 uses Intel Socket 1200 for desktop. The i3-1210U was released on 2022-02-22, the i3-10105 on 2021-03-15. The i3-10105 has a part number SRH3P; the i3-1210U does not list one. The i3-10105 has a launch MSRP of $122; the i3-1210U has no launch MSRP recorded. Both are currently active in production, neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i3-10105 is part of the Core 10th Gen series; the i3-1210U does not have a series listed.

The Verdict

Looking strictly at the benchmark data, the Intel Core i3-1210U is the stronger performer in the majority of tests. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, including all six Cinebench tests and seven of ten PassMark categories. Its average benchmark score is 12795, compared to 12316 for the i3-10105, and it sits at the 68th percentile of all CPUs versus the 67th for the i3-10105. The i3-1210U also has a larger L3 cache, more cores, a newer process node, and support for DDR5 and PCIe Gen 4.

However, the i3-10105 is not without merit. It wins in data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting, and it has a much higher base clock (3.70 GHz vs 1.00 GHz) and a desktop TDP of 65W. For users who prioritize those specific workloads, the i3-10105 may be the better fit. Its launch MSRP is $122, which is the only price information in the database.

For context, the i3-1210U's closest rival in the database is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X, which scores 12786, a 0.1% difference. The i3-10105's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-6700K at 12237, a 0.6% difference. Given the data, the i3-1210U is the better choice for general-purpose computing, especially in mobile or low-power systems. The i3-10105 is a desktop part that holds its own in a few specialized tasks. The choice depends on whether the user needs the broad performance lead of the i3-1210U or the specific strengths of the i3-10105 in compression and extended instruction workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i3-1210U has 6 cores, while the Intel Core i3-10105 has 4 cores. Both have 8 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock of each CPU?

A: Both the i3-1210U and the i3-10105 have a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Their base clocks differ: 1.00 GHz for the i3-1210U and 3.70 GHz for the i3-10105.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR5 memory?

A: The i3-1210U supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i3-10105 supports only DDR4.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The i3-1210U has a TDP of 9W, and the i3-10105 has a TDP of 65W.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i3-1210U scores 8413 versus 7029 for the i3-10105, a 19.7% lead.

Q: Which CPU wins in data compression?

A: The i3-10105 scores 128464 versus 102965 for the i3-1210U, a 19.8% margin.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1210U | Intel Core i3-10105 |

|---------------|---------------------|---------------------|

| Series | Not listed | Core 10th Gen |

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Base clock | 1.00 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 9 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1781 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Comet Lake |

| Codename | Alder Lake-U | Comet Lake-R |

| Generation | Core i3 (Alder Lake-U) | Core i3 (Comet Lake) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 10 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2022-02-22 | 2021-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $122 |

| Part number | Not listed | SRH3P |