Intel Core i3-10105 vs Intel Core i5-8400 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8400 and Intel Core i3-10105 are two desktop CPUs from different Intel generations, and the recorded benchmark data shows a clear, though not universal, hierarchy between them. The i5-8400, a six-core Coffee Lake part, dominates the majority of the head-to-head tests, while the i3-10105, a four-core Comet Lake-R chip with hyper-threading, counters in a few specific workloads. This analysis breaks down the measured performance deltas, architectural differences, and practical implications based solely on the database records.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the sheer number of wins for the Intel Core i5-8400. Out of 19 recorded tests, the i5-8400 wins 16, with the i3-10105 taking only 3. This is not a close contest across the board; the i5-8400's lead is substantial in many categories.

Starting with rendering workloads, the i5-8400's advantage is consistent and significant. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-8400 scores 790 against the i3-10105's 708, a delta of 11.6%. This pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the scores are 3295 versus 2952, again an 11.6% difference. The single-core tests in Cinebench show a similar story, with the i5-8400 leading by 12.1% in R15 (111 vs 99) and 11.5% in R20 (464 vs 416). The newer Cinebench R23 tests confirm the trend, with the i5-8400 ahead by 11.6% in both multicore (7847 vs 7029) and single-core (1107 vs 992) runs.

The Geekbench results amplify this gap, particularly in the multicore test. Here, the i5-8400 scores 5088, which is 17.6% higher than the i3-10105's 4325. The single-core Geekbench test is much closer, with the i5-8400 only 2.6% ahead (1353 vs 1319). This suggests that the i5-8400's advantage grows when all cores are engaged, likely due to its two additional physical cores.

The Passmark suite provides a more nuanced picture. The i5-8400 wins several tests by wide margins, including extended instructions (11543 vs 8648, a 33.5% lead), floating point math (22006 vs 17949, a 22.6% lead), and physics (635 vs 467, a 36% lead). The most extreme delta is in the find prime numbers test, where the i5-8400 scores 37 against the i3-10105's 20, an 85% advantage. This test often depends heavily on core count and memory bandwidth, areas where the i5-8400's configuration appears stronger.

However, the i3-10105 secures its wins in two specific Passmark tests. It takes the integer math test with a score of 28577, which is 10.5% higher than the i5-8400's 25573. It also wins the single-thread test, scoring 2589 versus 2371, an 8.4% advantage for the i3-10105. This single-thread win is notable, as it suggests that per-core performance is better on the newer i3, even if the older i5 has more cores.

Other Passmark tests are closer. The data compression test shows the i5-8400 ahead by just 1.2% (129951 vs 128464), and the random string sorting test is a near tie, with the i5-8400 winning by only 0.3% (15952 vs 15899). The data encryption test also favors the i5-8400, but by a modest 3.7% (2824 vs 2723). The multithread test, which aggregates overall parallel performance, still goes to the i5-8400 with an 11.9% lead (9225 vs 8241).

Architecture Differences

The performance deltas between these two processors stem directly from their architectural configurations. The Intel Core i5-8400 is built on the Coffee Lake architecture and uses a 14 nm process node. It features 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning it lacks hyper-threading. Its base clock is 2.80 GHz, with a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The CPU is designed for the Intel Socket 1151 platform.

The Intel Core i3-10105 belongs to the Comet Lake-R family, also built on a 14 nm process node. It has 4 cores but 8 threads, thanks to Intel's Hyper-Threading technology. Its base clock is significantly higher at 3.70 GHz, and the boost clock reaches 4.40 GHz. This processor uses the Intel Socket 1200 platform.

Cache configurations also differ. The i5-8400 has a larger L3 cache, with 9 MB shared across all cores. The i3-10105 has a smaller 6 MB shared L3 cache. Both processors have identical L1 and L2 cache sizes per core, at 64 KB and 256 KB respectively. The larger L3 cache on the i5-8400 likely contributes to its strong showing in memory-sensitive and multi-core workloads.

Both CPUs support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and the recorded memory bandwidth is identical at 42.7 GB/s. They also share the same PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both feature UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers, preventing overclocking. The i5-8400 has a die size of 154 mm², while the die size for the i3-10105 is not recorded in the database.

The release dates place these chips in different eras. The i5-8400 was released in October 2017 and is marked as end-of-life. The i3-10105 was released in March 2021 and is still an active product. Its launch MSRP is $122, while the i5-8400 had a launch MSRP of $182.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-8400 is the superior processor for the vast majority of tasks. Its 16 wins out of 19 tests, including commanding leads in rendering, physics, and floating-point operations, make it the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads. The data shows it is 11.6% faster in Cinebench R23 multicore and 17.6% faster in Geekbench multicore, which are representative of productivity and content creation scenarios.

The i3-10105's wins are narrow and specific. Its 8.4% lead in the Passmark single-thread test and 10.5% lead in integer math are real, but they do not outweigh the i5-8400's broad superiority. The i3-10105 is a capable processor for basic tasks and light gaming, but the recorded data suggests the i5-8400 is the better overall package for anyone who needs consistent performance across a variety of applications.

The i5-8400's higher core count is the deciding factor. Even with a lower clock speed, its two additional physical cores provide a significant advantage in any workload that can use them. The i3-10105's hyper-threading helps it close the gap in some tests, but it cannot compensate for the lack of physical cores in heavily parallel tasks. The verdict is that the i5-8400 is the stronger CPU, despite being older and having a lower boost clock.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400 is faster. It wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test with a score of 7847, an 11.6% lead over the i3-10105's 7029. Its advantage is even larger in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 5088 versus 4325, a 17.6% difference.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-10105 have any benchmark wins?

A: Yes, it wins 3 tests in the database. It beats the i5-8400 in the Passmark single-thread test (2589 vs 2371, an 8.4% lead) and in the Passmark integer math test (28577 vs 25573, a 10.5% lead).

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The i5-8400 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i3-10105 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i3-10105 uses hyper-threading, but the i5-8400 has two more physical cores.

Q: What is the difference in their L3 cache sizes?

A: The i5-8400 has a larger shared L3 cache of 9 MB, while the i3-10105 has a 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Are these CPUs on the same socket?

A: No. The i5-8400 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i3-10105 uses Intel Socket 1200. They are not interchangeable on the same motherboard.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i3-10105 has a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, compared to the i5-8400's 4.00 GHz. The i3-10105 also has a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz versus 2.80 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-8400 is the winner in the vast majority of scenarios. It is the clear choice for multi-threaded applications such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation, as evidenced by its dominant performance in the Cinebench R23 multicore test (7847 vs 7029) and the Passmark physics test (635 vs 467, a 36% lead). Its strong showing in floating-point math (22006 vs 17949) also makes it suitable for scientific computing and financial analysis. The 85% lead in the find prime numbers test highlights its advantage in specific parallel workloads.

The Intel Core i3-10105 is the pick for workloads that rely heavily on single-core performance or specific integer operations. Its 8.4% lead in the Passmark single-thread test and 10.5% lead in integer math suggest it may offer snappier responsiveness in older or lightly-threaded applications, and it could be a better fit for certain legacy software. It also has a higher base and boost clock, which can be beneficial for tasks that do not scale across many cores. However, these wins are narrow and isolated, making the i5-8400 the more versatile and powerful processor overall.