Intel Core i3-10110Y vs Intel Core i5-4258U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10110Y and the Intel Core i5-4258U are both dual-core mobile processors with four threads, yet the data reveals a clear generational divide in performance. The i3-10110Y, hailing from 2019's Comet Lake generation, decisively outperforms the i5-4258U, a 2013 Haswell part, across every benchmark recorded. The i5-4258U does have one notable advantage, however: a higher base clock speed and a more power-hungry design, which are factors that matter outside of raw compute.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Benchmark results show a consistent and substantial victory for the Intel Core i3-10110Y across all five Cinebench tests. The smallest margin of victory is in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where the i3-10110Y scores 156 against the i5-4258U's 131, a difference of 19.1%. This pattern of dominance holds in every workload, indicating the i3-10110Y's architectural advantages are not specific to multi-threaded tasks but apply universally.

The multi-core results paint a similar picture, with the i3-10110Y leading by nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-10110Y scores 265, which is 19.4% ahead of the i5-4258U's 222. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a score of 1108 for the i3-10110Y versus 929 for the i5-4258U, a 19.3% advantage. The newer processor continues its winning streak in Cinebench R23, posting 2640 points in multi-core and 372 in single-core, compared to the i5-4258U's 2213 and 312, respectively. Each of these results is a deltaPct of roughly 19.2% to 19.3%, underscoring a very consistent performance gap.

Interestingly, the i5-4258U has benchmark scores that the i3-10110Y lacks in the fact pack, including Geekbench multi-core and single-core results of 1664 and 844. Given the Cinebench results, it is reasonable to infer that the i3-10110Y would likely outperform the i5-4258U in these tests as well, but the data provided does not allow for a direct comparison. The overall average benchmark score reinforces this narrative: the i3-10110Y averages 908 points, while the i5-4258U averages 902, placing them both in the 24th percentile of all CPUs. Despite this similar average, the head-to-head Cinebench data shows the i3-10110Y is the clear winner in every direct comparison, with a total of 5 wins against 0 for the i5-4258U.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i3-10110Y is built on Intel's Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-Y codename, and uses a 14 nm process node. The Intel Core i5-4258U, in contrast, is based on the older Haswell architecture and uses a larger 22 nm process node. This generational leap is a primary reason for the performance difference, as the 14 nm process allows for greater efficiency and higher clock speeds within a given power envelope.

Clock speeds are a key differentiator. The i5-4258U has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz, which are both higher than the i3-10110Y's base clock of 1000.00 MHz and boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The i3-10110Y's boost clock is significantly higher, reaching 4.00 GHz, while its base clock is much lower. This suggests the i3-10110Y is designed to run at low power for most tasks and then burst to high speeds when needed, whereas the i5-4258U runs at a more constant, moderate speed. This is reflected in the TDP: the i3-10110Y has a TDP of 9 watts, while the i5-4258U has a TDP of 28 watts.

Cache sizes also differ. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the i3-10110Y has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4258U has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-4258U also has a documented transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 118 mm², details which are not provided for the i3-10110Y. The integrated graphics also differ, with the i3-10110Y featuring UHD Graphics and the i5-4258U featuring Intel HD 5100. Both processors support DDR3 memory and are not multiplier unlocked.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-10110Y wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its performance advantage is most pronounced in multi-core workloads, though it also leads in single-core tasks. This makes it the better choice for any application that relies on CPU processing power, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or compiling code. The data shows a consistent 19% lead, which is a substantial margin for a dual-core processor.

The Intel Core i5-4258U does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. However, there are areas where it has a distinct specification-level advantage. Its higher base clock speed of 2.40 GHz suggests it may offer more consistent performance in sustained workloads that do not trigger the boost clock of the i3-10110Y. Additionally, with a TDP of 28 watts, it is designed for a higher power envelope, which could be advantageous in systems with better cooling that are not constrained by battery life. The i5-4258U also has a documented transistor count and die size, which are not available for the i3-10110Y. In terms of benchmark wins, the i3-10110Y wins 5 out of 5 direct comparisons, leaving the i5-4258U with 0 wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110Y has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, which is significantly higher than the Intel Core i5-4258U's boost clock of 2.90 GHz.

Q: How does the multi-core performance compare in Cinebench R20?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110Y scores 1108 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, which is 19.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-4258U's score of 929.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for both processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110Y has a TDP of 9 watts, while the Intel Core i5-4258U has a TDP of 28 watts.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-10110Y and the Intel Core i5-4258U have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110Y has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-4258U has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110Y has an average benchmark score of 908, while the Intel Core i5-4258U has an average score of 902, a difference of 6 points.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-10110Y | Intel Core i5-4258U |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Base Clock | 1000.00 MHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| TDP | 9 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel BGA 1168 |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Transistors | N/A | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | N/A | 118 mm² |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | Intel HD 5100 |

| Release Date | 2019-08-20 | 2013-06-03 |

| Part Number | N/A | SR18A |

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i3-10110Y is the superior processor for performance. It wins every single head-to-head benchmark, achieving a consistent lead of around 19% over the Intel Core i5-4258U in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. Its higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz and larger 4 MB L3 cache, combined with the more efficient 14 nm Comet Lake architecture, contribute to this clear victory. Anyone looking for a CPU with better compute performance in applications like rendering or content creation should choose the i3-10110Y without hesitation.

The Intel Core i5-4258U, while losing on performance, has its own merits. Its higher base clock of 2.40 GHz could potentially provide more stable performance in scenarios where the i3-10110Y's low 1000.00 MHz base clock would be a bottleneck, and its 28-watt TDP indicates it is built for a different power profile. However, in a direct comparison of processing power, the data is unequivocal. The i3-10110Y is the winner, and the i5-4258U is a legacy part that is outclassed by its newer counterpart in every measured metric.