CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1030G7 vs Intel Core i5-10310Y
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1030G7 is a low-power mobile processor engineered for ultra-thin laptops and fanless designs, debuting as part of the 10th Generation Ice Lake-Y family. Built on Intel's 10nm process, it features four cores and eight threads, leveraging the Sunny Cove microarchitecture to deliver noticeable single-threaded performance improvements over previous generations. Operating at a low 9-watt TDP, with configurable options up to 12 watts, it balances battery life and responsive computing. The inclusion of Iris Plus graphics with 64 execution units marks a significant leap in integrated visual performance, capable of handling casual gaming and hardware-accelerated media workloads. With support for LPDDR4X memory at 3733 MT/s and PCIe Gen 3, the chip ensures fast data throughput. Designed for premium mobility, it targets professionals and students needing long-lasting battery endurance without sacrificing essential productivity capabilities in highly portable form factors.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy for everyday office tasks and multitasking, though heavy rendering is slowed by the 9W TDP.
Slightly better sustained performance than 10210Y for office tasks.
Gaming
Capable of running older or well-optimized games at low settings, but struggles with modern AAA titles.
Not suitable for gaming beyond simple 2D applications.
Virtualization
Can handle light virtualization, but resource constraints limit complex setups.
Can handle light VMs but thermal limits restrict usage.
Efficiency
Outstanding power efficiency tailored for all-day battery life in ultra-portables.
Exceptional power efficiency for all-day tablet battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Features Intel DL Boost 1.0 for basic AI workloads
- Not suitable for heavy AI inference or training
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Low frequency limits CPU-based inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Plus 64 EUs provides decent entry-level graphics
- Suitable for games like CS:GO and League of Legends
- Thermal limits of 9W restrict sustained GPU boost clocks
- 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
- Exceptional power efficiency (9W TDP)
- Iris Plus graphics with 64 EUs
- Native Thunderbolt 3 support
- Good single-thread performance for everyday tasks
- Enables completely fanless designs
Cons
- Low base clock of 800 MHz
- Thermal throttling limits sustained performance
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA 1440)
- Outperformed by newer 11th Gen and AMD Ryzen alternatives
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 i5-1030G7
- AMD Ryzen 5 3580URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 3780URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-8200YRival
Mobile
- Intel Core m3-8100YRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Mobile
Tiger Lake successor with significantly better performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-headAlder Lake alternative with vastly superior multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Better overall CPU performance in the same thin-and-light category.
Comet Lake-Y alternative if 10nm Ice Lake is unavailable.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Offers class-leading efficiency for ultra-thin form factors.
Compare head-to-head
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 10nm chip that brought modern Sunny Cove architecture and Gen 11 graphics to ultra-portable devices, though its low TDP limits sustained multi-core performance.
Best for: Purchasing a used or discounted fanless ultra-thin laptop for basic productivity.
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 i5-1030G7 or Intel Core i5-10310Y?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1030G7 comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. 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 i5-1030G7 or Intel Core i5-10310Y?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1030G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Intel Core i5-1030G7 and Intel Core i5-10310Y.
Do Intel Core i5-1030G7 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 i5-1030G7 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1030G7 (6,500), Intel Core i5-10310Y (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.