CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10210Y vs Intel Core i5-10310Y
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10210Y is an ultra-low power mobile processor designed for fanless tablets, 2-in-1 detachables, and extremely thin laptops. Released in August 2019, it operates on the 14nm Comet Lake-Y architecture, featuring four cores and eight threads. With a base frequency of just 1.0 GHz and a maximum turbo boost of 4.0 GHz, it prioritizes power efficiency over sustained performance. The processor has a remarkably low 9W TDP, allowing it to run completely passively cooled in many devices. It includes 6MB of L3 cache and supports LPDDR3 memory, ensuring minimal power draw during routine tasks. While its base clock is quite low, making it sluggish under heavy continuous loads, the high boost clock allows it to handle bursty workloads like web browsing and document editing smoothly. It is an ideal chip for highly portable devices where battery life and thermal constraints outweigh raw computing power and space limitations.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Good for basic office tasks, but throttles under heavy loads.
Slightly better sustained performance than 10210Y for office tasks.
Gaming
Only capable of running very old or simple 2D games.
Not suitable for gaming beyond simple 2D applications.
Virtualization
Not recommended due to low base clock and thermal limits.
Can handle light VMs but thermal limits restrict usage.
Efficiency
Outstanding power efficiency for all-day battery life.
Exceptional power efficiency for all-day tablet battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Low base clock limits inference speed
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Low frequency limits CPU-based inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- UHD Graphics are too weak for 3D gaming
- Thermal throttling limits sustained GPU performance
- Memory bandwidth is restricted by LPDDR3
- Basic UHD Graphics
- Passive cooling limits GPU boost
- LPDDR3 bandwidth is a bottleneck
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Allows for fanless, silent operation
- Excellent battery life
- Quad-core multitasking in a tablet form factor
- Snappy burst performance
Cons
- Very low 1.0GHz base clock
- Throttles quickly under sustained load
- Uses older LPDDR3 memory
- Weak integrated graphics
Pros
- Fanless, completely silent operation
- Excellent battery life
- Slightly higher clocks than 10210Y
- Good burst performance
Cons
- Low base clock limits sustained work
- Uses older LPDDR3 memory
- Weak integrated graphics
- Expensive when new for the performance offered
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-10210Y
- Intel Core m3-8100YRival
Mobile (Fanless)
- AMD Ryzen 3 4300URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10310YRival
Mobile (Fanless)
- Intel Core i5-8500YRival
Mobile (Fanless)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cxRival
Mobile (ARM)
Better graphics and 10nm efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Apple A12X BionicAlt
Superior ARM-based performance for tablets.
- Intel Core i5-1230YAlt
Modern hybrid architecture with better efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Vastly more powerful if a fan is present.
- Intel Pentium Silver N6000Alt
Budget alternative for basic tablet tasks.
Intel Core i5-10310Y
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10210YRival
Mobile (Fanless)
- Intel Core i7-1060NG7Rival
Mobile (Fanless)
- Intel Core m3-8100YRival
Mobile (Fanless)
- AMD Ryzen 3 4300URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10110YRival
Mobile (Fanless)
Better graphics and 10nm efficiency.
Compare head-to-headBetter sustained performance if a fan is present.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Vastly superior performance and battery life.
Compare head-to-head - Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Alt
Better ARM-based efficiency for tablets.
- Intel Core i5-1230YAlt
Modern Alder Lake architecture for fanless designs.
Our Verdict on Each
A highly efficient chip for passive cooling, but its very low base clock makes it unsuitable for sustained workloads.
Best for: Buying a used Windows tablet for reading and media.
Read the full reviewA marginally faster binned version of the 10210Y, offering slightly better sustained performance in fanless tablets.
Best for: Buying a used premium business tablet for travel.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10210Y or Intel Core i5-10310Y?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-10310Y comes out ahead with a score of 6.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Do Intel Core i5-10210Y and Intel Core i5-10310Y use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1440 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-10310Y posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10210Y (5,200), Intel Core i5-10310Y (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.