CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-10510U vs Intel Core i7-10810U

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-10510U is a quad-core mobile processor that debuted as part of the 10th Generation Comet Lake-U lineup in August 2019. Designed primarily for thin-and-light laptops, it operates on Intel's refined 14nm process node. With a base frequency of 1.8 GHz and the ability to boost up to 4.9 GHz on a single core, it offers a noticeable bump in clock speeds compared to its 8th-generation predecessors. The processor features 8MB of L3 cache and supports up to 8 threads via Intel's Hyper-Threading technology. Its 25-watt default TDP strikes a balance between performance and power consumption, making it suitable for ultraportables requiring sustained multitasking capabilities. While it lacks the advanced Sunny Cove architecture found in Intel's 10nm Ice Lake chips, the i7-10510U remains a reliable choice for everyday productivity, media consumption, and light content creation on the go.

Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-10510U
4C / 8T4.9 GHz25 W
7.5
Full review
Top pick
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-10810U
6C / 12T4.9 GHz25 W
8
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Mobile
Generation
10th Gen Core i7
10th Gen Core i7
Launched
2019
2020
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Comet Lake-U
Comet Lake-U
Series
Core i7
Core i7
Family
Comet Lake
Comet Lake
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-8565U
Intel Core i7-10710U
Successor
Intel Core i7-1165G7
Intel Core i7-1185G7

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
6
Threads
8
12
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
1.1 GHz
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
4.9 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
8 MB
12 MB
TDP
25 W
25 W
Architecture
Architecture
Comet Lake-U
Comet Lake-U
Process Node
14nm
14nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3, DDR4
DDR3, DDR4
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
64 GB
64 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1440
Intel BGA 1440
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-10510U75

Snappy performance for office applications and heavy multitasking.

Intel Core i7-10810UBest84

Strong performance in office applications and multitasking.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-10510U40

Only suitable for very light or older games due to basic UHD integrated graphics.

Intel Core i7-10810UBest45

Basic UHD graphics limit it to non-demanding titles.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-10510U60

Capable of running light virtual machines but limited by 4 cores.

Intel Core i7-10810UBest78

12 threads handle virtualization well for a mobile chip.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-10510UBest60

14nm process is less efficient than newer 10nm alternatives.

Intel Core i7-10810U55

14nm process limits efficiency compared to newer chips.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-10510ULimited
  • Lacks dedicated AI acceleration hardware
  • Relies on CPU-based inference
Intel Core i7-10810ULimited
  • No dedicated AI silicon
  • Handles basic inferencing via CPU

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-10510UFair
Basic PhotoshopLight 1080p Video EditingAudio Production
Intel Core i7-10810UGood
PhotoshopLightroom1080p Video EditingOffice Applications

Gaming

Intel Core i7-10510UPoor
  • Relies on Intel UHD Graphics
  • Can run esports titles on low settings
  • Not recommended for AAA gaming
Intel Core i7-10810UPoor
  • Relies on UHD Graphics
  • Not intended for gaming

Industry Impact

Gaming
Low
Low
Workstations
Low
Moderate
Content Creation
Moderate
Moderate
Virtualization
Moderate
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Document Editing
Excellent
Web Browsing
Excellent
4K Video Playback
Very Good
Light Photo Editing
Good
Casual Gaming
Fair
Fair
Business Productivity
Excellent
Data Analysis
Very Good
Software Development
Very Good
Multitasking
Excellent

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Targeted
Developers
Targeted
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i7-10510U

Pros

  • Strong single-core boost clocks
  • Good for everyday productivity
  • Supports Wi-Fi 6 CNVi
  • Proven 14nm reliability

Cons

  • Outdated 14nm process
  • Basic integrated graphics
  • End-of-life status
  • Lower IPC than Ice Lake
Intel Core i7-10810U

Pros

  • 6 cores and 12 threads
  • High 4.9 GHz turbo boost
  • Good for multitasking
  • 12MB L3 cache

Cons

  • OEM exclusive, hard to find in retail
  • 14nm process is outdated
  • Low base clock
  • Basic integrated graphics

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i7-10510U

Intel Core i7-10810U

  • AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 4750U

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Compare head-to-head
  • Intel Core i7-10610U

    Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 4650U

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-8665U

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-1165G7
    Alt

    Better single-core IPC and faster integrated graphics.

  • AMD Ryzen 7 5800U
    Alt

    Superior multi-core performance and battery life.

  • More modern architecture often outperforms it in everyday tasks.

    Compare head-to-head
  • Vastly superior efficiency for similar productivity workloads.

    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Ryzen 5 5625U
    Alt

    Modern budget alternative with better multi-threading.

Our Verdict on Each

A dependable 14nm quad-core CPU that delivers strong single-core bursts for everyday tasks, though it lags behind newer architectures in efficiency and multi-threaded workloads.

Best for: For users considering a laptop powered by the Intel Core i7-10510U in the modern era, the primary appeal lies in the budget and refurbished markets. It is not recommended for new purchases, as newer processors offer significantly better efficiency and performance. However, if found at a steep discount, it remains a solid choice for students, office workers, and casual users who need a reliable machine for web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. Avoid this processor if your workflow involves heavy video editing, 3D rendering, or modern gaming, as its aging 14nm architecture and UHD integrated graphics lack the horsepower for demanding creative workloads or smooth frame rates.

Read the full review

A solid OEM-specific 6-core processor that offers a slight frequency bump over the 10710U, making it excellent for business productivity and multitasking.

Best for: The Core i7-10810U is exclusively found in pre-built laptops, making it a factor only when shopping for used or refurbished business machines. It is a solid choice if you need a multitasking laptop for office work, heavy web browsing, and light content creation at a lower price point. The 6-core configuration ensures it can handle parallel tasks better than older 8th Gen chips. However, due to its 14nm heritage, battery life may suffer compared to newer laptops with 10nm or newer processors. Avoid paying a premium for this chip today; if the price is close to a laptop with an 11th Gen Intel or Ryzen 5000 processor, opt for the latter. It is best suited for budget-conscious buyers needing solid productivity performance.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-10510U or Intel Core i7-10810U?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-10810U comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. 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 i7-10510U or Intel Core i7-10810U?

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-10810U leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Intel Core i7-10510U and Intel Core i7-10810U.

Do Intel Core i7-10510U and Intel Core i7-10810U use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1440 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.

Which has more cores?

The Intel Core i7-10810U has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-10510U (4 cores), Intel Core i7-10810U (6 cores).