Intel Core i3-10105

The Intel Core i3-10105 is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor from Intel's 10th Generation Comet Lake-R series, built on a 14 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, paired with a 65 W TDP and UHD Graphics 630 integrated. Its average benchmark score of 13430 places it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, a solid mid-tier result for a locked, mainstream quad-core part.

How It Compares

The closest rival by average score is the Intel Core i7-1250U, which posts an average of 13462 against the i3-10105's 13430. This puts the i3-10105 just 0.2% behind the i7-1250U, a margin so thin it is effectively a statistical tie. The i7-1250U is a low-power mobile part, so this parity in aggregate scoring suggests the desktop i3's sustained clock speeds compensate for the rival's higher boost potential in short bursts.

Next is the Intel Core i3-12100F, a newer-generation quad-core, which averages 13516. The i3-10105 trails by 0.6%, a modest gap that reflects the architectural generational leap in IPC for the newer part. Despite being a previous generation, the 10105 holds within striking distance, losing only 86 points in the aggregate metric. This indicates that for everyday workloads, the user-visible difference is minimal.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX, a high-end workstation processor, is a surprising entry in this comparison. It averages 13534, making the i3-10105 0.8% slower. This is a negligible delta, but it must be interpreted with caution: the Threadripper's massive core count typically dominates multithreaded tests, yet the overall average is dragged down by other factors in the synthetic suite, illustrating that aggregate scores can obscure workload-specific extremes.

Finally, the Intel Core i7-7700K, a previous flagship quad-core, averages 13280. The i3-10105 leads this rival by 1.1%, a clear win that highlights the benefits of a newer architecture and higher boost clock. The 150-point advantage shows that the i3-10105 outpaces a formerly top-tier part, reinforcing its position as a capable entry-level option that has aged well relative to older high-end silicon.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Cinebench R23 results show a single-core score of 988 and a multi-core score of 7004. The ratio between these, roughly 7.1x, indicates strong scaling across the 4 cores and 8 threads, though not perfect linearity. The 4.40 GHz boost clock drives the single-thread score, placing it in a competitive range for daily tasks like web browsing and office applications, where single-core performance dominates latency.

In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 414 and multi-core is 2941, a similar scaling pattern. The multi-core advantage over single-core is about 7.1x, consistent with R23, suggesting that the processor's thermal and power headroom allows all cores to sustain near-boost frequencies under load. The 65 W TDP is a key enabler here, as the chip does not throttle aggressively in all-core workloads.

PassMark's single-thread score of 2589 and multithread score of 8241 further corroborate this split. The multithread score is 3.2x the single-thread figure, which is lower than the Cinebench ratio because PassMark's multithread test includes memory and cache contention overhead. Real-world implications: the i3-10105 is responsive for single-threaded tasks but will show its quad-core limits in heavily threaded rendering or video encoding, where a 6-core or 8-core rival would pull ahead.

The data compression score of 128464 and integer math score of 28577 indicate that multi-threaded integer workloads benefit significantly from the 8 threads, while the floating-point score of 17949 shows moderate capability. The physics score of 467 in PassMark is modest, reflecting that physics simulations often require higher core counts to scale effectively. For mixed workloads, the split favors bursty single-thread responsiveness over sustained multi-core throughput.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Core i3-10105 has a specified TDP of 65 W, classifying it as a mainstream power envelope. This TDP is typical for a quad-core desktop part and implies that a stock cooler is sufficient for standard operation, though a capable air cooler would provide quieter and cooler running. The 14 nm process node, while older, is well-understood for this power class, and the 3.70 GHz base clock ensures stable performance under sustained loads without exceeding the thermal design point.

The boost clock of 4.40 GHz requires additional voltage and power, but the 65 W TDP suggests the processor can maintain high all-core clocks without hitting a hard power wall. Benchmark data supports this: the multi-core scores in Cinebench R23 (7004) and R20 (2941) are consistent across runs, indicating no thermal throttling under typical test conditions. The socket is Intel Socket 1200, which is a mature platform with robust cooling support from both air and liquid solutions.

Given the 65 W TDP, users should expect that a stock Intel cooler or an entry-level tower cooler will manage temperatures adequately. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 adds a small amount of heat but does not materially change the cooling requirement. For system builders, this is a low-stress thermal profile, meaning that even compact cases with restricted airflow can house this CPU without issue, provided the cooler is properly mounted.

FAQ

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i3-10105?

A: The launch MSRP is $122.

Q: How does the i3-10105 compare to the Intel Core i7-7700K in average benchmark score?

A: The i3-10105 scores 13430, which is 1.1% higher than the i7-7700K's 13280, giving the i3 a clear but small lead.

Q: Does the i3-10105 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported; it uses dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: What is the multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The multi-core score is 7004, while the single-core score is 988.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported without external clock generator adjustments.

Q: What integrated graphics does the i3-10105 include?

A: It includes UHD Graphics 630, which is sufficient for basic display output and light media tasks.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench R15 results show a multi-core score of 705 and a single-core score of 99. The single-core figure is low in absolute terms, but relative to the i7-7700K's aggregate lead of 1.1%, it suggests that the i3-10105's single-thread performance is competitive with older high-end parts. In R20, the multi-core score of 2941 places it within 0.6% of the i3-12100F's average, meaning that for all-core loads, the older chip is nearly as fast as its newer counterpart.

The R23 multi-core score of 7004 is the strongest indicator of sustained all-core throughput. Against the i7-1250U, which trails by 0.2% in aggregate, the i3-10105 likely wins in multi-threaded tests due to higher sustained clocks, though the mobile part may win in short bursts. The Threadripper PRO 3975WX, despite being 0.8% ahead in aggregate, would dominate in multi-core rendering, so the i3-10105's proximity in average score is misleading for that specific workload.

PassMark's integer math score of 28577 and floating-point math score of 17949 show a 1.6x ratio, typical for a quad-core with Hyper-Threading. The extended instructions score of 8648 indicates decent SIMD performance, while the data encryption score of 2723 is modest, suggesting that heavy encryption workloads will not be a strength. The find prime numbers score of 20 is low, reflecting that this test is heavily dependent on single-core integer throughput and cache latency.

The avgBenchmarkScore of 13430, combined with a 72nd percentile ranking, places the i3-10105 in the upper-middle tier of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are clustered within a 1.1% range, indicating that performance differences are minor in aggregate. For a locked 65 W quad-core, the i3-10105 delivers competitive results that align with its position as a value-oriented desktop processor, excelling in single-threaded tasks and holding its own in multi-threaded scenarios against both older and newer competitors.