CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10400H vs Intel Core i7-10510Y
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10400H is a 10th generation mobile processor tailored for mainstream gaming laptops and portable workstations. Launched in April 2020, it belongs to the Comet Lake-H family and is built on Intel's 14nm process. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, delivering reliable multi-threaded performance for its segment. The base clock speed is 2.6 GHz, which can boost up to 4.6 GHz under load, offering strong single-core performance for gaming. With a 45W TDP, it strikes a balance between power and thermal output, fitting well in mid-range laptop designs. It includes 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 2933 MT/s. Like other H-series chips, it includes basic integrated graphics but is intended to be paired with a dedicated GPU. Its 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes ensure sufficient bandwidth for mobile graphics and fast storage solutions.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
4 cores hold it back in heavy multi-threaded productivity apps.
Good for light office tasks but throttles under sustained load.
Gaming
Performs slightly better than 10300H due to higher clocks, good for 1080p.
Only capable of running older or very simple 2D games.
Virtualization
Basic VM support, but limited by core count.
Not recommended due to low TDP and limited sustained performance.
Efficiency
Standard 14nm mobile efficiency, gets warm under load.
Extremely efficient, offering excellent battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- CPU-based inference is basic.
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Low power limits restrict inference performance
Content Creation
Gaming
- Higher clock speeds give a slight edge over the 10300H.
- Good pairing for GTX 1660 Ti or RTX 2060 mobile.
- Bottlenecks can occur in modern CPU-heavy games.
- Basic UHD graphics
- Throttles quickly in fanless designs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Higher clock speeds than 10300H
- Good single-core performance
- Supports DDR4-2933
- Reliable for eSports and older AAA games
Cons
- Still only 4 cores
- Soldered and non-upgradable
- 14nm process is not power efficient
- Outclassed by AMD Ryzen 5 4600H
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 i5-10400H
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10300HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i7-10750HRival
Mobile High-End
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800HRival
Mobile High-End
- Intel Core i5-9300HRival
Previous Gen Mobile
- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
Better IPC and architecture.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HAlt
Much faster and more efficient.
Modern hybrid architecture.
Compare head-to-head
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 solid 4-core mobile CPU with slightly higher clocks than the 10300H, providing a small bump in performance for mainstream gaming laptops.
Best for: Buying a used mid-range gaming laptop at a discount.
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 i5-10400H or Intel Core i7-10510Y?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-10400H comes out ahead with a score of 7.2/10. 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 i5-10400H or Intel Core i7-10510Y?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-10400H leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Intel Core i5-10400H and Intel Core i7-10510Y.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-10510Y has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-10400H (45 W), Intel Core i7-10510Y (9 W).
Do Intel Core i5-10400H and Intel Core i7-10510Y use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-10400H: BGA 1440, Intel Core i7-10510Y: Intel BGA 1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-10400H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10400H (9,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.