Retailer photo of Intel Core i3-10100. View this offer in Where to buy
Intel · CPU
Intel Core i3-10100
The current Intel Core i3-10100 price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
- Cores / threads
- 4C / 8T
- Boost clock
- 4300 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 1200
- TDP
- 154 W
- Memory support
- DDR4
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: LowAt $243 the Intel Core i3-10100 is priced in line with its $243 representative market level. Only one retailer currently backs that price, so the level is a single data point rather than a market.
Limited market: only one retailer currently has a verified offer, so treat this price as a single data point.
Prices & availability
Intel Core i3-10100: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
1 tracked offers · 1 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i3-10100 | Newegg | New | $243 | 20 | 2026-10-16 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i3-10100Multiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#219 of 264 graded processors
- #216 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 2400G 5
- #217 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 5
- #218 IntelIntel Core i7-7700 5
- #219 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 5
- #220 IntelIntel Core i3-10105 5
- #221 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1240 V5 5
- #222 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 5
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#218 of 264 currently priced processors
- #215 IntelIntel Core i3-13100 22
- #216 IntelIntel Pentium Gold G6400 22
- #217 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX 20
- #218 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 20
- #219 IntelIntel Pentium Gold G5400 20
- #220 IntelIntel Core i7-5820K 20
- #221 IntelIntel Core i9-11900KF 20
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#217 of 264 graded processors
- #214 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 52
- #215 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 52
- #216 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 52
- #217 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 52
- #218 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 4100 52
- #219 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 52
- #220 IntelIntel Core i7-7800X 52
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#152 of 264 currently priced processors
- #149 IntelIntel Core i9-9900KF 30
- #150 IntelIntel Core i9-10900 29
- #151 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX 29
- #152 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 29
- #153 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 29
- #154 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X 28
- #155 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 3200G 28
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#219 of 264 graded processors
- #216 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 2400G 5
- #217 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 5
- #218 IntelIntel Core i7-7700 5
- #219 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 5
- #220 IntelIntel Core i3-10105 5
- #221 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1240 V5 5
- #222 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 5
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#200 of 264 currently priced processors
- #197 IntelIntel Core i7 Extreme 5960X 2
- #198 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 2400G 2
- #199 IntelIntel Core i7-9700F 2
- #200 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 2
- #201 IntelIntel Core i9-9900 2
- #202 IntelIntel Core i7-8086K 2
- #203 IntelIntel Core i5-8400 2
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#227 of 264 graded processors
- #224 IntelIntel Core i3-10105F 10
- #225 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 10
- #226 IntelIntel Core i7-7700 10
- #227 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 10
- #228 IntelIntel Core i3-9350K 10
- #229 IntelIntel Core i7-4790 10
- #230 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1240 V3 10
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#163 of 264 currently priced processors
- #160 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 14
- #161 IntelIntel Core i5-10600K 13
- #162 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 3900X 13
- #163 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 13
- #164 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 3950X 13
- #165 IntelIntel Core i3-13100 13
- #166 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 2700 12
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value20 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus 96 +517% capability · -9% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus 100 +468% capability · -18% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeC Value29 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 7 9700X A 83 +45% capability · +3% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus A 89 +40% capability · -18% price |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeF Value2 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus A 41 +517% capability · -9% price | |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeF Value13 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 7 9700X S 100 +638% capability · +3% price | |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded C for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specificallycompeting products deliver so much more per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds Relative Value 100 against its 20 with Balanced priorities, at $200
- Productivity is what you actually need it forit grades only F there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Consider other options if
- Gaming is what you actually need it forit grades C there; AMD Ryzen 7 9700X grades A at $250
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Gaming per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds Relative Value 89 against its 29 for Gaming, at $200
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Productivity is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Productivity, but C for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Productivity is what you actually need it forit grades F there; Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus grades A at $220
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus holds Relative Value 41 against its 2 for Productivity, at $220
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Performance per Watt, but C for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Performance per Watt is what you actually need it forit grades F there; AMD Ryzen 7 9700X grades S at $250
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Performance per Watt per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i3-10100
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 4
- Threads
- 8
- Performance cores
- 4
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 3600 MHz
- Boost clock
- 4300 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 154 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 154 W
- Socket
- LGA 1200
- Memory support
- DDR4
- Maximum memory
- 128 GB
- Integrated graphics
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Process node
- 14 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 1 MB
- L3 cache
- 6 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- No
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2020
- Manufacturer part number
- BX8070110100
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17
What to check in your build
LGA 1200 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1200. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
DDR4 memory
This processor takes DDR4. Memory of another generation does not fit the slots, even on a board with the right socket.
Cooler rated for 154 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 154 W on socket LGA 1200.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i3-10100 offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #219 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 239. Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i3-10100 offers C-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #217 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 239. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i3-10100 offers F-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #219 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 239. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i3-10100 offers F-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #227 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 239. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon is shown as a discovery link when we do not have a permitted verified price snapshot. It is excluded from price comparisons, rankings and Relative Value until a compliant tracked price exists.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17 · formula cpu-value-v1.4 · facts facts-2026-10-17 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.