Intel Core i3-10300 vs Intel Core i7-6700T Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10300 and Intel Core i7-6700T are both quad-core, eight-thread desktop parts, but they represent very different eras of Intel's design philosophy. The i3-10300 is a modern 10th Gen Comet Lake chip built for Socket 1200, while the i7-6700T is a 6th Gen Skylake part designed for Socket 1151 with a focus on low power consumption. Benchmark data shows a consistent, decisive performance gap, with the newer i3 winning every single head-to-head test by a near-identical margin.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-10300 dominates the Intel Core i7-6700T across every Cinebench workload. In the multi-core tests, the i3-10300 scores 673 points in Cinebench R15, 2,808 points in R20, and 6,687 points in R23. The i7-6700T trails with 599, 2,496, and 5,943 points respectively. This translates to a 12.4% advantage for the i3 in R15 multi-core, and a 12.5% lead in both R20 and R23 multi-core tests. The consistency of this delta—hovering around 12.5%—suggests a fundamental clock-speed and efficiency advantage rather than an architectural quirk.

Single-threaded performance tells a similar story, albeit with a slightly wider margin. The i3-10300 posts scores of 95 in R15, 396 in R20, and 944 in R23, while the i7-6700T manages 84, 352, and 839. Here, the i3's lead grows to 13.1% in R15 single-core, then settles back to 12.5% in both R20 and R23 single-core. The difference in the R15 single-core test is the largest of any comparison, indicating that the i3-10300's peak clock advantage is most pronounced in short, bursty workloads that don't stress thermals.

When placed against the broader field, both processors occupy the 43rd percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are remarkably close: 1,934 for the i3-10300 versus 1,918 for the i7-6700T. However, the head-to-head results reveal that this average parity is misleading. The i7-6700T's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Xeon E-2314 (0.4% behind), while the i3-10300 sits near the Intel Core i7-1180G7 (0.2% ahead) and the Intel Core i7-7820HQ (0.3% behind). The i3-10300's average score is pulled down by its lack of Geekbench data, whereas the i7-6700T includes a Geekbench multi-core score of 3,906 and a single-core score of 1,128, which helps it keep the aggregate numbers close despite losing every Cinebench round.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-10300 is the clear winner in every scenario measured, but the nature of its victories matters. Its largest advantages come in single-threaded Cinebench R15, where it leads by 13.1%, and its smallest leads are the 12.4% margin in multi-core R15 and the 12.5% margins across R20 and R23. This pattern indicates that the i3-10300 is not just faster in raw throughput; it is also more responsive in latency-sensitive tasks that depend on a single core's speed. For users running older software that relies heavily on one thread, or for everyday desktop responsiveness, the i3-10300's higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus the i7-6700T's 3.60 GHz provides a tangible edge.

The i7-6700T, however, is not without its own niche. Its 35W TDP is dramatically lower than the i3-10300's 62W, making it the better choice for compact or passively cooled systems where power draw and heat output are the primary constraints. The data shows that the i7-6700T still delivers respectable multi-core performance—its R23 score of 5,943 is only 11.1% behind the i3's 6,687—which is impressive given its much lower power envelope. For a small-form-factor home server or a low-noise media PC, the i7-6700T's efficiency could outweigh its performance deficit. Additionally, the i7-6700T's memory support for both DDR3 and DDR4 gives it an edge in legacy system upgrades, whereas the i3-10300 is locked to DDR4.

Looking at the benchmark averages, the i7-6700T also holds a hidden advantage: it has Geekbench scores (3,906 multi-core, 1,128 single-core) that the i3-10300 lacks. This means that in any comparative analysis that includes Geekbench, the i7-6700T can contribute data points that the i3-10300 cannot match, potentially inflating its perceived value in mixed-benchmark averages. However, in pure Cinebench workloads—the most common CPU stress tests—the i3-10300 wins every round without exception.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on the same 14 nm process node, but they hail from different architectural generations. The i3-10300 uses the Comet Lake architecture, while the i7-6700T is based on Skylake. Both are 14 nm parts manufactured by Intel, but Comet Lake is a refined iteration of the Skylake design, optimized for higher clock speeds and better power efficiency at the top of the frequency curve. This explains why the i3-10300, despite being a lower-tier i3 part, can outpace a Core i7 from the same core count.

Both processors feature 4 cores and 8 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The core layout and threading model are the same, so the performance difference comes down to clock speeds and the maturity of the Comet Lake process. The i3-10300 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while the i7-6700T operates at a much lower 2.80 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. That 800 MHz gap at both base and boost is the primary driver of the i3's consistent 12.5% lead.

The socket and platform differences are significant. The i3-10300 uses Intel Socket 1200, which is exclusive to 10th Gen Comet Lake desktop processors, while the i7-6700T uses the older Intel Socket 1151. Both platforms support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, but the memory controllers differ. The i3-10300 supports DDR4 only, with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i7-6700T supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, but its bandwidth is capped at 34.1 GB/s—a 20% reduction that further widens the performance gap in memory-sensitive workloads.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i3-10300 comes with UHD Graphics 630, while the i7-6700T has the older HD Graphics 530. Both are capable of basic display output and video playback, but the UHD 630 is a newer design with better driver support. The production statuses reflect their lifecycles: the i3-10300 is marked as Active, while the i7-6700T is End-of-life, meaning the newer part is still in production while the older one has been discontinued.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock, and how much does it matter?

A: The Intel Core i3-10300 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, compared to the i7-6700T's 3.60 GHz. This 800 MHz difference is the main reason the i3-10300 leads by 12.5% in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 12.5% in R23 single-core.

Q: Are both processors quad-core with eight threads?

A: Yes, both the i3-10300 and the i7-6700T have 4 cores and 8 threads, with identical L1, L2, and L3 cache sizes (64 KB, 256 KB, and 8 MB respectively).

Q: Does the i7-6700T have any advantage in memory compatibility?

A: Yes, the i7-6700T supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i3-10300 supports only DDR4. However, the i3-10300 has higher memory bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s versus the i7-6700T's 34.1 GB/s.

Q: What is the production status of each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i3-10300 is listed as Active, meaning it is still in production. The Intel Core i7-6700T is marked as End-of-life, indicating it has been discontinued.

Q: Which CPU has a lower TDP?

A: The i7-6700T has a TDP of 35W, which is significantly lower than the i3-10300's 62W. This makes the i7-6700T more suitable for low-power builds despite its slower performance.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the i7-6700T wins?

A: No. In the head-to-head Cinebench tests, the i3-10300 wins all 6 comparisons. However, the i7-6700T has additional Geekbench scores (3,906 multi-core, 1,128 single-core) that are not available for the i3-10300.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-10300 | Intel Core i7-6700T |

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

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Skylake |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 62W | 35W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | HD Graphics 530 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2020-04-29 | 2015-08-31 |

| Launch MSRP | N/A | $303 |

| Part Number | SRH3J | SR2BUSR2L3 |