CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10210Y vs Intel Core i7-10510Y
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.
Good for light office tasks but throttles under sustained load.
Gaming
Only capable of running very old or simple 2D games.
Only capable of running older or very simple 2D games.
Virtualization
Not recommended due to low base clock and thermal limits.
Not recommended due to low TDP and limited sustained performance.
Efficiency
Outstanding power efficiency for all-day battery life.
Extremely efficient, offering excellent battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Low base clock limits inference speed
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Low power limits restrict inference performance
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
- Throttles quickly in fanless designs
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
- Extremely low 9W TDP
- Fanless design capability
- Quad-core performance for tablets
- Good single-core burst speeds
Cons
- Throttles heavily under load
- Outdated 14nm process
- Uses LPDDR3 memory instead of DDR4
- Basic integrated graphics
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 i7-10510Y
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10210YRival
Mobile
- Intel Core m3-8100YRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 3450URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-8500YRival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cxRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1160G7Alt
Newer 10nm architecture with better efficiency and performance.
- Alt
Vastly superior performance per watt for fanless designs.
Compare head-to-head Better integrated graphics and IPC.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Much higher performance if a slightly thicker chassis is acceptable.
- Microsoft SQ2Alt
ARM-based alternative for extreme efficiency in tablets.
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 highly efficient 9W processor that brought quad-core performance to fanless devices, though its performance is heavily throttled by thermal limits.
Best for: When considering a device with the Core i7-10510Y, it is crucial to understand its intended use case. This processor is best suited for users who prioritize extreme portability, fanless operation, and long battery life, such as students or traveling professionals. It handles web browsing, document editing, and media consumption perfectly fine. However, its 9W TDP means it will quickly throttle under sustained loads like video editing or heavy compiling. In the current market, devices with this CPU should only be purchased used or at a significant discount. Avoid this processor if you plan to do any gaming or intensive rendering. If battery life is your main goal, an Apple Silicon MacBook Air might be a better alternative, but for Windows-based ultra-portables, the 10510Y still offers a competent, albeit aging, experience.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10210Y or Intel Core i7-10510Y?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-10510Y comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-10210Y or Intel Core i7-10510Y?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-10510Y leads with a gaming performance score of 35/100 among Intel Core i5-10210Y and Intel Core i7-10510Y.
Do Intel Core i5-10210Y and Intel Core i7-10510Y 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 i5-10210Y posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10210Y (5,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.