CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10310Y vs Intel Core i7-10510Y
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10310Y is an ultra-low power mobile CPU designed for premium fanless tablets and compact 2-in-1 devices. Released in August 2019 alongside the 10210Y, it features four cores and eight threads on the 14nm Comet Lake-Y architecture. What sets this specific model apart is its slightly higher base clock of 1.1 GHz, providing a minor bump in sustained performance over its sibling, while still maintaining a strict 9W TDP. It can boost up to 4.1 GHz, ensuring snappy responsiveness during bursty tasks like application launches and web browsing. The processor includes 6MB of L3 cache and supports LPDDR3 memory to minimize power consumption. Designed for the most thermally constrained environments, it enables completely silent, passively cooled computing. While not suited for heavy workloads or gaming, it offers a smooth experience for everyday productivity, media consumption, and business tasks on the go, balancing efficiency with adequate multi-threaded headroom.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Slightly better sustained performance than 10210Y for office tasks.
Good for light office tasks but throttles under sustained load.
Gaming
Not suitable for gaming beyond simple 2D applications.
Only capable of running older or very simple 2D games.
Virtualization
Can handle light VMs but thermal limits restrict usage.
Not recommended due to low TDP and limited sustained performance.
Efficiency
Exceptional power efficiency for all-day tablet battery life.
Extremely efficient, offering excellent battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Low frequency limits CPU-based inference
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Low power limits restrict inference performance
Content Creation
Gaming
- Basic UHD Graphics
- Passive cooling limits GPU boost
- LPDDR3 bandwidth is a bottleneck
- Basic UHD graphics
- Throttles quickly in fanless designs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
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 i5-10310Y
- 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.
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 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 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 i5-10310Y 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 i5-10310Y or Intel Core i7-10510Y?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-10510Y leads with a gaming performance score of 35/100 among Intel Core i5-10310Y and Intel Core i7-10510Y.
Do Intel Core i5-10310Y 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 i5-10310Y posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10310Y (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.