The most important component of hardware in a computer that executes computer program instructions is a processor, commonly known as a CPU. The executive part of your computer assists Windows in performing basic mathematical, control, and input/output functions by retrieving, decoding, and executing program instructions.
On July 29, 2015, Windows 10 was released and it is still in use today. At that time, the i7 5th generation was released, and Windows 10 worked extremely well with it. However, the i3 processors from the past were also compatible with some functions. The Core i3 6th generation was finally introduced in 2016, and it can also run Windows 10 with varied RAM support.
Is i3 Processor Good enough for Windows 10?
Windows 10 can be run flawlessly on an Intel Core i3 processor. However, the first and second versions couldn’t run Windows 10. For Windows 7 and Windows 8, they worked best. But access to apps and programs was constrained on these Windows. Because of the release of Windows 10, Intel had to update its processors.
Because it results in longer battery life, the I3 Processor is regarded as a power-efficient processor and the best frog laptop. i3 will meet your needs if you’re not a power user or multitasker. But if you’re a serious PC user who wants to do some heavy-duty tasks or play games, you might want to think about getting a more potent processor.
Also, different generations of Intel i3 processors have different core counts, clock speeds, and cache sizes. Every generation improves and becomes better than the one before it. For instance, the most recent Intel i3 processors from the 10th generation are much faster and more efficient than those from the 1st generation.
i3 processors compatible with Windows 10
Below is a list of i3 processors compatible with Windows 10:
| Processor | Frequency (Max-Turbo) | Cores | Cache | Integrated Graphics |
| Core i3-1220PE Processor | 4.2GHz | 8 | 12MB | Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen. |
| Core i3-1215UE Processor | 4.4 | 6 | 10MB | Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen. |
| Core i3-1210U Processor | 4.4 | 6 | 10MB | Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen. |
| Core i3-11100HEProcessor | 4.4 | 4 | 8MB | Intel UHD Graphics for 11th Gen. |
| Core i3-1115G4 Processor | 4.10 | 2 | 6MB | Intel UHD Graphics 730 |
| Core i3-10105 Processor | 4.4 | 4 | 6MB | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Core i3-10305 Processor | 4.5 | 4 | 8MB | Intel UHD Graphics 630. |
| Core i3-6100 Processor | 3.7 | 2 | 3MB | Intel UHD Graphics |
All 11th and 12th-generation Intel processors are capable of running Windows 10 without any issues. However, you must also take into account other factors like RAM and GPU. The CPU is supported by all other gear in order to process data and perform better.
Which i3 processors specifically can Windows 10 run smoothly?
A 1 GHz or greater processor and a minimum of 2GB of RAM are required for Windows 10. Minimum hardware requirements are those that are least desirable. The performance with no lag won’t be available for you to experience. So, in order to get a smooth performance, experts recommend using a processor running at least 2.0 GHz and 4GB of RAM.
Windows 10 can be run without any problems on certain types of i3 processors. The dual-core i3-6100 with 3M Cache and 3.70 GHz clock, which is the most popular i3 processor type, is more than enough to operate Windows 10 properly.
The quad-core i3-7100 and the hexacore i3-7350K are the other completely compatible CPUs. Any of these i3 CPUs should have no trouble running Windows 10 without any lag or other problems on PCs equipped with them.
In essence, you may run Windows 10 32 or 64 Bits on an i3 processor that is 2GHz or higher. The only limitation is RAM. To achieve lag-free, lag-free performance, you must use at least 2GB for 32-bit Windows and 4GB for 64-bit Windows.
How Fast is i3 10th generation? i5 VS i7?
The i3 is an excellent option if you want to replace an older computer. The i3 10th generation is significantly faster than the previous version. If you are searching for an inexpensive computer, the i3 10th generation is also a good option. The i3 is less expensive than the i5 and i7, but it still provides satisfactory performance. Here is a comparison of the pi5, i7, and i3 processors.
i5 versus Intel Core i3 10th Generation
The efficacy of the i3 10th generation is superior to that of the i5 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations. Overall, the i5 8th generation outperforms the i3 tenth generation. Its effective performance is 7% greater than that of the i3. Let’s compare the scores of both CPUs on benchmarks.
| Benchmark | i3 10th Generation | I5 8th Generation |
| Desktop PC | 67% | 68% |
| Workstation PC | 43% | 49% |
| Gaming Capability | 58% | 62% |
| RAM Speed | 73.8 pts | 73.6 pts |
| Single Core speed (Clocked/unclocked) | 97.6/121 Pts | 94.2/115 Pts |
| Dual Core speed | 170 pts/205 Pts | 174 pts/224 Pts |
| Cache | 4 MB | 6 MB |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 4.10 GHz | 3.90 GHZ |
| Maximum Memory Bandwidth | 45.8 GB/s | 37.5 GB/s |
In summary, the average benchmarks for the i5 8th generation were 62.3% and 58.5% for the i3 10th generation. More than 80,000 i5 8th generation user data and around 10,000 i3 user data were used to evaluate these results. So, if you’re on a tight budget, the i3 10th generation is your best bet, but if you value performance above price, the i5 8th or higher generation is the way to go.
Is it worthwhile to upgrade from an i3 processor to an i5 or i7?
You should think about a few things before upgrading, such as how much money you’re ready to spend and the purpose for which you plan on using your computer.
It probably isn’t worth the money to change from an i3 to an i5 or i7 processor. If you’re a casual user who uses your computer primarily for web browsing, email checking, and other simple tasks. But let’s say you’re a fervent user who engages in sophisticated film editing or competitive gaming. In that situation, moving from an i3 to an i5 of the eighth or seventh generation could significantly improve speed and performance.
Read: Do APU And GPU Work Together?
10th generation Intel Core i3 vs. i7
The first generation of the i7 performs lower than the tenth generation of the i3. The base speed has been raised to 3.60 GHz in the most recent i3 10th generation. With a maximum charge speed of 4.10 GHz. As a result, it will perform better than the i7 3rd, 4th, and even 5th generation in both regular computing and gaming.
Performance-wise, Core i7 9th and 10th generations are noticeably superior to Core i3 10th generation. It reveals a striking 17% difference in benchmark performance on average. As a result, we will contrast the 10th generation core i3 and core i7 processors.
| Benchmark | i3 10th Generation | I7 10th Generation |
| Desktop PC | 87% | 98% |
| Workstation PC | 69% | 97% |
| Gaming Capability | 83% | 97% |
| RAM Speed | 92 Pts | 88.8 Pts |
| Single Core speed (Clocked/unclocked) | 123/128 Pts | 144/154 Pts |
| Dual Core speed | 234/253 Pts | 281/307 Pts |
| Cache | 6 MB | 16 MB |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 5.10 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| Maximum Memory Bandwidth | 45.9 GB/s | 41.7 GB/s |
We may conclude from the comparison that the i7 10th generation is significantly superior to the i3 10th generation. Benchmark averages for the Core i7 10th generation are 96.9%, while those for the Core i3 10th generation are 83%. A comparison of 19 to 20 thousand participants was conducted.
The fact that Core i3 10th generation processors only have 4 cores and 8 threads whereas Core i7 10th generation processors have 8 cores and 16 threads, which improves the CPU and provides lag-free efficient performance, is another factor contributing to this significant difference.
Final Thought
The i3 CPUs work well for everyday tasks and even support some light gaming. The i3 is a great option if you want to replace an older computer. The 10th generation Intel Core i3 is significantly faster than the 9th generation. If you want a computer that is inexpensive, the i3 10th generation is also a decent option. Although the i3 is more affordable than the i5 and i7, it still performs effectively.