CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-10810U vs Core i7-8665U

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. Launched in April 2020, the Intel Core i7-10810U is a hexa-core mobile processor belonging to the 10th Gen Comet Lake-U family. It closely resembles the i7-10710U but is specifically tailored for OEMs, offering slightly tweaked clock speeds and a 25W TDP. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it provides robust multitasking capabilities for thin-and-light laptops. The processor operates at a 1.1 GHz base clock and can boost up to 4.9 GHz, ensuring strong single-threaded bursts for everyday tasks. Built on the 14nm process, it features 12MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory. Its integrated UHD Graphics handle standard media playback and light gaming. While it doesn't bring architectural innovations over standard Comet Lake parts, it remains a reliable option for business and premium consumer laptops needing balanced performance. The higher 4.9 GHz turbo compared to the 10710U gives it a slight edge in single-core workloads.

Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-10810U
6C / 12T4.9 GHz25 W
8
Full review
Top pick
Intel · 8th Generation Core i7
Core i7-8665U
4C / 8T4.8 GHz15 W
8.2
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
Generation
10th Gen Core i7
8th Gen
Launched
2020
2018
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Comet Lake-U
Whiskey Lake-U
Series
Core i7
8th Generation Core i7
Family
Comet Lake
Whiskey Lake
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-10710U
Core i7-8650U
Successor
Intel Core i7-1185G7
Core i7-10810U

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
6
4
Threads
12
8
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
1.9 GHz
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
4.8 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
12 MB
8 MB
TDP
25 W
15 W
Architecture
Architecture
Comet Lake-U
Whiskey Lake-U
Process Node
14nm
14nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3, DDR4
DDR4, LPDDR3
Memory Speed
DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
64 GB
64 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1440
Intel BGA 1528
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-10810U84

Strong performance in office applications and multitasking.

Core i7-8665U

Gaming

Intel Core i7-10810U45

Basic UHD graphics limit it to non-demanding titles.

Core i7-8665U

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-10810U78

12 threads handle virtualization well for a mobile chip.

Core i7-8665U

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-10810U55

14nm process limits efficiency compared to newer chips.

Core i7-8665U

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-10810ULimited
  • No dedicated AI silicon
  • Handles basic inferencing via CPU
Core i7-8665U

No data

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-10810UGood
PhotoshopLightroom1080p Video EditingOffice Applications
Core i7-8665U

No data

Gaming

Intel Core i7-10810UPoor
  • Relies on UHD Graphics
  • Not intended for gaming
Core i7-8665U

No data

Industry Impact

Gaming
Low
None
Workstations
Moderate
Low
Content Creation
Moderate
Low
Virtualization
Moderate
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Business Productivity
Excellent
Data Analysis
Very Good
Software Development
Very Good
Multitasking
Excellent
Casual Gaming
Fair
Corporate Productivity
Excellent
Remote Work
Excellent

Target Audience

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

Strengths & Weaknesses

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
Core i7-8665U

Pros

  • Excellent single-core burst speed
  • Includes Intel vPro for remote management
  • Low 15W TDP
  • Great for business productivity

Cons

  • Throttles under sustained load
  • Only 4 cores
  • More expensive than consumer equivalents
  • Soldered BGA package

Competitors & Alternatives

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.

Core i7-8665U

Our Verdict on Each

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
Core i7-8665URecommended

The i7-8665U offers top-tier ultrabook performance with the crucial addition of vPro for enterprise manageability.

Best for: Buying a used enterprise laptop (ThinkPad, Latitude)

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-10810U or Core i7-8665U?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-8665U comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. 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 i7-10810U or Core i7-8665U?

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-10810U leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Intel Core i7-10810U and Core i7-8665U.

Which uses less power?

The Core i7-8665U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-10810U (25 W), Core i7-8665U (15 W).

Do Intel Core i7-10810U and Core i7-8665U use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-10810U: Intel BGA 1440, Core i7-8665U: Intel BGA 1528), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which has more cores?

The Intel Core i7-10810U has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-10810U (6 cores), Core i7-8665U (4 cores).