Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i5-8400

The Intel Core i5-8400, an 8th generation (Coffee Lake S) desktop processor, was introduced in mid-2017 for the mainstream market.

It is a 14nm processor with 6 cores/6 threads, 9 MB L3 cache, PCIe 3.0, and 43 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i3-10100, belonging to the 10th generation (Comet Lake S), was launched in early 2020 and aimed at the entry-level to mid-range performance segment.

This 14nm chip is equipped with 4 cores/8 threads (Hyper-Threading) and 6 MB L3 cache, also offering PCIe 3.0 and 43 GB/s memory bandwidth. In single-core benchmarks, both CPUs are very similar, with differences under 10 percent. For multi-core tasks, the Intel Core i3-10100, thanks to Hyper-Threading, is on par with the Intel Core i5-8400.

Both are well-suited for gaming, as their single-core performance is comparable and both integrate Intel UHD Graphics 630. Gaming performance primarily depends on the external graphics card. Both chips have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 65 Watts; the i5-8400 might consume slightly more power under full load.

On the used market, the Intel Core i5-8400 is often cheaper. The Intel Core i3-10100 offers a good price-performance ratio on a newer platform. The Intel Core i5-8400 scores with more physical cores. The Intel Core i3-10100 offers good performance per thread for everyday use and gaming due to Hyper-Threading and newer architecture.

For gaming, the Intel Core i3-10100 is slightly preferable; for core-intensive tasks and on a budget, the Intel Core i5-8400.