Intel Core i3-10100

Desktop CPUIntel

Also called intel core i3-10100, core i3-10100, i3-10100, core-i3-10100

IntelDesktop CPUComet Lake

Intel Core i3 desktop processor on Comet Lake, with 4 cores and 8 threads and 256 KB L2, 6 MB L3 at 65 W TDP on a 14 nm process addressing up to 128 GB and Intel UHD Graphics 630.

What you need to know

Intel Core i3-10100 is a aging desktop cpu.

Intel Core i3-10100 launched in April 1, 2020., It has 4 cores and 8 threads on Comet Lake, dropping into the FCLGA1200 socket. Treat the spec table as the facts. Age alone does not tell you to throw it out.

Still good?: Only if the workload is light
Product age: 6 years old
Upgrade pressure: Moderate

Feex says

If apps already feel slow, check RAM and storage before you blame this CPU by name alone.

What this hardware means today

Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.

Performance today: Average. Average for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
Product age 6 years old: Aging. Launched April 1, 2020. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
Support status: Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
Upgrade pressure: Moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.

Where does it sit?

Comet Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.

11th Gen

12th Gen

13th Gen

14th Gen

Core Ultra

Performance context

These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.

Gaming: Good

Playable in lighter titles. A weak GPU will hide whatever this chip still has.

Productivity: Average

4 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.

Multithreaded workloads: Average

8 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.

General use: Good

Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.

Efficiency: Good

Rated 65 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.

Should you upgrade?

Probably not based on CPU performance alone.

Upgrade makes more sense if

Your workload is strongly CPU limited
You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
You need substantially more multicore performance
You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer

Upgrade makes less sense if

The GPU is the real bottleneck
Current applications are already responsive
The CPU rarely limits your workload

Specifications

Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.

Processor

Intel Core i3-10100 is built on Comet Lake using a 14 nm process.

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Processor
Manufacturer	Intel
Family	Core i3
Architecture	Comet Lake
Generation	10th Generation Intel Core i3 Processors
Manufacturing process	14 nm
Segment	Desktop

Cores and threads

Intel Core i3-10100 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Cores and threads
Cores	4
P-cores	4
Threads	8

Clock speeds

Base clock is 3.6 GHz. Boost reaches 4.3 GHz.

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Clock speeds
Base frequency	3.6 GHz
Max boost	4.3 GHz

Cache

Cache on this sheet is 6 MB L3.

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Cache
L2 cache	256 KB
L3 cache	6 MB
Total cache	6.25 MB

Memory

Intel Core i3-10100 addresses 128 GB across 2 memory channels.

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Memory
Supported types	DDR4
Max capacity	128 GB
Channels	2

Package and power

Intel Core i3-10100 uses the FCLGA1200 socket and a 65 W TDP.

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Package and power
Socket	FCLGA1200
TDP	65 W
PCIe	Revision 3.0, 16 lanes

Integrated graphics

Intel Core i3-10100 includes Intel UHD Graphics 630.

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Integrated graphics
Integrated graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 630

Market

Intel Core i3-10100 launched April 1, 2020 at USD 134 (suggested price at launch).

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Market
Launch date	April 1, 2020
Launch MSRP	USD 134 (suggested price at launch)
Model	i3-10100

Features

Intel Core i3-10100 records 13 instruction sets on this sheet.

Intel Core i3-10100 specifications: Features
Instruction sets	AES-NIAVX-512AVX2AVXFMASHAx86-64-v464-bit (x86-64)RDSEEDSSE4.1SSE4.2x86-64-v3x86-64-v2
Security	Control-flow Enforcement (CET)Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardSGX
Virtualization	Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization)

Compatibility

Compatibility
Socket	FCLGA1200
Board	A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision.
Memory	DDR4, up to 128 GB
Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 630

A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.

Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.

Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.

No post after a CPU swap

Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.

Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.

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