How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-10100 scores 28.9/100 overall; Intel Core i5-8400 scores 29/100. Intel Core i3-10100 wins 6 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-8400 wins 3.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-10100 and the Intel Core i5-8400?

Intel Core i3-10100 advantages: Stronger single-core score: 35 vs 31; 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB; 33% higher threads: 8 vs 6; 29% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz; Lower launch price: $134 vs $182. Intel Core i5-8400 advantages: 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher L3 cache: 9 MB vs 6 MB.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-10100 or Intel Core i5-8400?

Intel Core i3-10100 launched cheaper at $134, versus $182 for the Intel Core i5-8400.

Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Core i5-8400

Intel

Intel Core i3-10100

$134

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-8400

$182

34.7Single-core31.1

26.4Multi-core28.6

26.3Gamingspec-based27.2

6 spec wins — Intel Core i3-101003 spec wins — Intel Core i5-8400

InnoReviews verdict

This one is close to a dead heat: Intel Core i3-10100 scores 28.9 against 29 for Intel Core i5-8400. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i5-8400 edges ahead in multi-core, or by price.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-10100

Stronger single-core score: 35 vs 31
100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
33% higher threads: 8 vs 6
29% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz
Lower launch price: $134 vs $182

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-8400

50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher L3 cache: 9 MB vs 6 MB

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-10100 versus Intel Core i5-8400
Spec	Intel Core i3-10100	Intel Core i5-8400
Announced	2020	2017
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151-v2
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W	65 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	—	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-10100 versus Intel Core i5-8400
Spec	Intel Core i3-10100	Intel Core i5-8400
Cores	4	6+50%
Performance cores	—	6
Efficiency cores	—	0
Threads	8+33%	6
Base clock	3.6 GHz+29%	2.8 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz+7%	4 GHz
L2 cache	—	2 MB
L3 cache	6 MB	9 MB+50%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-10100 versus Intel Core i5-8400
Spec	Intel Core i3-10100	Intel Core i5-8400
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,050 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-10100 versus Intel Core i5-8400
Spec	Intel Core i3-10100	Intel Core i5-8400
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB+100%	64 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-10100 versus Intel Core i5-8400
Spec	Intel Core i3-10100	Intel Core i5-8400
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-10100 versus Intel Core i5-8400
Spec	Intel Core i3-10100	Intel Core i5-8400
Geekbench 6 (single)	—	1,370Bottom 24%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	—	4,900Bottom 18%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,150Bottom 21%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	6,400Bottom 17%
PassMark	8,470Bottom 11%	9,235+9%Bottom 14%
PassMark (single thread)	2,586+9%Bottom 24%	2,364Bottom 14%

Related comparisons

Intel Core i3-10100vs Intel Core i3-10100FVS Intel Core i3-10100vs Intel Core i7-5930KVS Intel Core i3-10100vs Intel Core i3-10105VS Intel Core i3-10100vs Intel Core i5-8500VS Intel Core i5-8400vs Intel Core i7-5930KVS Intel Core i5-8400vs Intel Core i3-10105VS Intel Core i5-8400vs Intel Core i3-10100FVS Intel Core i5-8400vs Intel Pentium Gold G7400VS

Try another matchup

Device oneDevice two