Intel Core i3-7100H vs Intel Core i5-10210Y Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10210Y is the outright winner in every benchmark recorded here, consistently beating the Intel Core i3-7100H by roughly 16% across both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. Despite the i3-7100H’s higher base clock and larger thermal envelope, the i5-10210Y’s four-core, eight-thread design and newer Comet Lake architecture deliver superior performance in every measured workload. The data is unambiguous: the i3-7100H wins zero head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-10210Y wins all five.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The scores are nearly identical. The Intel Core i3-7100H has an average benchmark score of 1009, while the Intel Core i5-10210Y scores 1006. The i3-7100H sits at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, and the i5-10210Y sits at the 27th percentile.

Q: How much faster is the i5-10210Y in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i5-10210Y scores 3479 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 15.7% ahead of the i3-7100H’s 2932. The same 15.7% delta appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core (350 vs 295) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (1461 vs 1231).

Q: Is the single-core performance gap the same as the multi-core gap?

A: Yes, with one minor exception. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-10210Y leads by 15.7% (491 vs 414). In Cinebench R20 single-core, the lead is 16% (206 vs 173). The i5-10210Y wins all recorded single-core tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100H has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-10210Y has 4 cores and 8 threads. This gives the i5-10210Y double the cores and double the threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The i3-7100H has a base clock of 2.80 GHz. The i5-10210Y has a base clock of 1000.00 MHz (1.00 GHz), but it offers a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, which the i3-7100H does not list.

Q: How do these CPUs compare in thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The i3-7100H has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-10210Y has a TDP of just 9 watts. The i5-10210Y delivers higher performance at a fraction of the power envelope.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and architectures. The Intel Core i3-7100H is built on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake-H codename, and belongs to the Core i3 (Kaby Lake-H) generation. The Intel Core i5-10210Y uses Comet Lake, with the Comet Lake-Y codename, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen series. Both are manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process node, but that is where the architectural similarities end.

The most significant difference is in core configuration. The i3-7100H provides 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-10210Y doubles that to 4 cores and 8 threads. This thread advantage directly explains the multi-core benchmark results. Cache allocation also differs substantially: the i3-7100H has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-10210Y has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Clock speeds present a contrast in strategy. The i3-7100H runs at a fixed 2.80 GHz base clock with no listed boost clock. The i5-10210Y has a much lower base clock of 1000.00 MHz but compensates with a 4.00 GHz boost clock. This indicates the i5-10210Y is designed to ramp up under load, while the i3-7100H maintains a steady, moderate frequency. The i5-10210Y also has a dramatically lower TDP of 9 watts versus 35 watts for the i3-7100H, reflecting its ultra-low-power Comet Lake-Y design.

Memory support differs as well. The i3-7100H supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The i5-10210Y supports only DDR3, and no memory bus configuration is listed. The i3-7100H also includes PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-10210Y does not list PCIe support. Integrated graphics differ: the i3-7100H includes Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i5-10210Y includes UHD Graphics. Both are mobile processors and neither supports ECC memory.

The production statuses reflect their lifecycles. The i3-7100H was released on January 2, 2017, and is marked as end-of-life. The i5-10210Y was released on August 20, 2019, and is still active. The i3-7100H has a launch MSRP of $225, while the i5-10210Y has no listed launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows no workload where the Intel Core i3-7100H comes out ahead. Across all five recorded Cinebench tests — R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core — the Intel Core i5-10210Y wins every time. The i3-7100H wins zero head-to-head benchmarks.

The i5-10210Y’s strengths are broad and consistent. In multi-core workloads, its 4-core, 8-thread configuration provides a clear advantage, as seen in the 15.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. In single-core tasks, the boost clock of 4.00 GHz powers a similar 15.7% to 16% lead, as shown in Cinebench R23 single-core (491 vs 414) and Cinebench R20 single-core (206 vs 173). This means the i5-10210Y is the better choice for both threaded productivity work and lightly threaded tasks like web browsing or office applications.

The only area where the i3-7100H could be considered competitive is in its base clock stability. With a 2.80 GHz base clock and no boost dependency, it may offer more predictable sustained performance in thermally constrained environments. However, the benchmark data does not capture any scenario where this translates into a win. The i5-10210Y’s lower TDP of 9 watts also makes it more suitable for fanless or ultra-portable designs, though the i3-7100H’s 35-watt TDP allows for higher sustained power delivery. For any workload measured here, the i5-10210Y is the winner.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification. The core count is the most striking gap: the i3-7100H has 2 cores, while the i5-10210Y has 4. Thread count follows at 4 versus 8. Base clocks are incomparable in direct form: the i3-7100H runs at 2.80 GHz, while the i5-10210Y runs at 1000.00 MHz. However, the i5-10210Y lists a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the i3-7100H has no boost clock listed.

TDP is a major differentiator. The i3-7100H draws 35 watts, while the i5-10210Y draws only 9 watts. This is a four-fold difference in power consumption. Cache size also differs: the i3-7100H has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-10210Y has 6 MB. L1 and L2 cache sizes are identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively.

Memory support diverges. The i3-7100H supports DDR3 and DDR4 with a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-10210Y supports only DDR3, with no memory bus listed. PCIe support is present on the i3-7100H (Gen 3, 16 lanes, CPU only) but not listed for the i5-10210Y. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD Graphics 630 on the i3-7100H versus UHD Graphics on the i5-10210Y.

The architectures are different generations: Kaby Lake-H versus Comet Lake-Y. The process node is identical at 14 nm for both. The i3-7100H has a die size of 126 mm², while the i5-10210Y does not list a die size. Neither CPU has unlocked multipliers, and both use the Intel BGA 1440 socket. The i3-7100H has a part number (SR32T) and a launch MSRP of $225; the i5-10210Y has neither listed. Release dates are January 2, 2017, for the i3-7100H and August 20, 2019, for the i5-10210Y. The i3-7100H is end-of-life, while the i5-10210Y is active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are one-sided. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-10210Y scores 350 against the i3-7100H’s 295, a delta of -15.7% for the i3-7100H. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the same pattern: 1461 for the i5-10210Y versus 1231 for the i3-7100H, again a 15.7% difference.

Single-core results are equally decisive. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-10210Y scores 206 while the i3-7100H scores 173, a 16% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the i5-10210Y at 491 and the i3-7100H at 414, a 15.7% difference. The final test, Cinebench R23 multi-core, sees the i5-10210Y at 3479 and the i3-7100H at 2932, another 15.7% gap.

Every single test produces a near-identical 15.7% to 16% margin. This consistency suggests the performance advantage is systemic rather than workload-specific. The i5-10210Y’s extra cores and threads drive the multi-core wins, while its 4.00 GHz boost clock powers the single-core wins. The i3-7100H never comes within 15% of the i5-10210Y in any recorded benchmark. The i5-10210Y wins all five head-to-head tests, and the i3-7100H wins none.

Nearest-rival data provides context. The i3-7100H’s closest rival is the Intel Processor N100, with an average score of 1007 and a delta of 0.2%. The i5-10210Y’s closest rival is the Intel Core i7-880, with an average score of 1006 and a delta of 0%. Notably, the i5-10210Y also appears as a nearest rival to the i3-7100H, with an average score of 1006 and a delta of 0.3%. This confirms that despite the i5-10210Y’s consistent benchmark wins, the overall average scores are virtually tied.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i5-10210Y is the superior processor in every measured category. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks with a consistent 15.7% to 16% margin, offering both more cores (4 vs 2) and more threads (8 vs 4). Its 6 MB of L3 cache doubles the i3-7100H’s 3 MB, and its 4.00 GHz boost clock provides the single-core advantage that the i3-7100H lacks. For any workload represented by the Cinebench suite, the i5-10210Y is the better pick.

The i3-7100H does retain a few structural advantages. Its 2.80 GHz base clock is far higher than the i5-10210Y’s 1000.00 MHz base, which may offer more consistent low-load performance. It also supports dual-channel DDR4 memory, while the i5-10210Y is limited to DDR3. The i3-7100H includes PCIe Gen 3 support, and its 35-watt TDP allows for higher sustained power draw, which could be preferable in a thicker chassis with better cooling.

However, none of those advantages show up in the benchmark results. The i5-10210Y delivers better performance at a fraction of the power — 9 watts versus 35 watts — and does so with an active production status. The i3-7100H is end-of-life, released in early 2017, while the i5-10210Y came two and a half years later in mid-2019. For a mobile user prioritizing performance and efficiency, the i5-10210Y is the rational choice. The i3-7100H only makes sense if the requirement is a fixed 2.80 GHz base clock or DDR4 support, but for raw speed, the i5-10210Y wins outright.