Intel Core i3-8130U vs Intel Core i5-10210Y Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core i5-10210Y wins five of the six recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i3-8130U takes only one. The most striking result is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i3-8130U scores 139 against the i5-10210Y's 51, a delta of 63.3% in favor of the older chip. This is the largest margin in either direction across all tests. The i5-10210Y's single-core score in R15 appears anomalously low relative to its other results, suggesting a possible throttling or measurement anomaly in that specific workload.

In multi-core workloads, the i5-10210Y consistently leads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 350 versus 301, a 16.3% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows 1461 against 1257, a 16.2% gap. The R23 multi-core result is 3479 versus 2995, again a 16.2% difference. These three multi-core deltas are nearly identical, indicating a stable performance advantage for the i5-10210Y across rendering workloads.

The single-core picture is more mixed. Beyond the R15 outlier, the i5-10210Y wins both R20 and R23 single-core tests. In R20 single-core, it scores 206 versus 177, a 16.4% lead. In R23 single-core, it scores 491 versus 422, also a 16.4% lead. The consistency of these two deltas suggests that the R15 single-core result is the exception rather than the rule. The i3-8130U has no other recorded wins, and its only benchmark category where it outperforms is that single R15 test.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The i5-10210Y has an average score of 1006, while the i3-8130U sits at 994. This 12-point difference places the i5-10210Y marginally ahead overall. Both processors land at the 27th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier despite the internal test differences.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-10210Y dominates in multi-threaded rendering tasks. All three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) show it ahead by roughly 16%. This is consistent with its 4-core, 8-thread configuration versus the i3-8130U's 2-core, 4-thread setup. For workloads that scale across cores, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or compilation tasks, the i5-10210Y is the clear choice.

The i5-10210Y also wins in modern single-core benchmarks. Its R20 and R23 single-core scores are both about 16% higher than the i3-8130U. This suggests better per-core efficiency in current software. The i3-8130U's sole win in R15 single-core is difficult to interpret as a systematic advantage given its poor showing in the newer R20 and R23 versions of the same benchmark.

The i3-8130U does have one area of measured superiority: the R15 single-core test. If a workload relies specifically on that benchmark's characteristics, the i3-8130U would be preferred. However, the data does not support a broader single-core advantage for the i3-8130U. The database also records Geekbench results for the i3-8130U (1762 multi-core, 898 single-core), but no comparable Geekbench data exists for the i5-10210Y, so a direct comparison in that suite is not possible.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-10210Y wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It leads by 16.3% in R15, 16.2% in R20, and 16.2% in R23.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-8130U faster in single-core workloads?

A: Only in one test. The i3-8130U wins Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 139 versus 51, a 63.3% advantage. However, the i5-10210Y wins R20 single-core by 16.4% and R23 single-core by 16.4%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The i5-10210Y has an average score of 1006, while the i3-8130U has 994. The i5-10210Y is 1.2% higher, and both are at the 27th percentile among all CPUs.

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

A: The i5-10210Y has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i3-8130U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The i3-8130U has a base clock of 2.40 GHz, while the i5-10210Y has a base clock of 1.00 GHz. The boost clocks are 3.40 GHz for the i3-8130U and 4.00 GHz for the i5-10210Y.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the i5-10210Y nor the i3-8130U supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ in several fundamental specifications. The i5-10210Y uses 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-8130U uses 2 cores and 4 threads. The base clock is substantially different: 1000 MHz for the i5-10210Y versus 2400 MHz for the i3-8130U. Boost clocks are 4.00 GHz and 3.40 GHz, respectively, meaning the i5-10210Y actually boosts higher despite its much lower base frequency.

Thermal design power differs significantly. The i5-10210Y has a TDP of 9 watts, while the i3-8130U has a TDP of 15 watts. This 6-watt difference indicates the i5-10210Y is designed for more power-constrained environments. The sockets are different as well: the i5-10210Y uses Intel BGA 1440, and the i3-8130U uses Intel BGA 1356.

Memory support differs. The i5-10210Y supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-8130U supports DDR4. The integrated graphics are also different: the i5-10210Y has UHD Graphics, while the i3-8130U has UHD 620. The die size is only listed for the i3-8130U at 123 mm², with no comparable figure for the i5-10210Y. The release dates differ by about 18 months, with the i3-8130U released on 2018-02-12 and the i5-10210Y on 2019-08-20.

Architecture Differences

The i5-10210Y is built on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-Y codename. The i3-8130U uses the Kaby Lake architecture, with the Kaby Lake-R codename. Both use a 14 nm process node from Intel, but they belong to different generations: the i5-10210Y is a 10th Gen Core i5, while the i3-8130U is a Core i3 from the Kaby Lake-U Refresh line.

Cache configurations differ noticeably. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is where they diverge: the i5-10210Y has 6 MB shared, while the i3-8130U has 4 MB shared. This 2 MB difference in L3 cache likely contributes to the i5-10210Y's performance edge in multi-core and modern single-core tests.

The market segment for both is Mobile, and both are currently marked as Active in production status. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-10210Y was released later and represents a newer architecture generation, but both share the same 14 nm manufacturing process and Intel as the foundry. The i3-8130U has a listed die size of 123 mm², but no die size is recorded for the i5-10210Y.

The Verdict

The data supports the Intel Core i5-10210Y for most use cases. It wins five of six head-to-head benchmarks, including all multi-core tests and the two most recent single-core tests. Its 4-core, 8-thread configuration gives it a consistent 16% advantage in rendering workloads, and its higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz helps in single-threaded tasks. The lower 9-watt TDP also makes it more suitable for thin-and-light devices where power efficiency is critical.

The Intel Core i3-8130U has one clear win in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it beats the i5-10210Y by 63.3%. This result is dramatic but isolated. For users running applications that resemble that specific benchmark's characteristics, the i3-8130U could be preferable. Its higher base clock of 2.40 GHz also suggests better sustained performance in power-unconstrained scenarios, though the boost clock is lower.

The average benchmark scores place both chips at the 27th percentile, meaning they are comparable in overall performance. The i5-10210Y edges ahead with an average score of 1006 versus 994, a difference of 1.2%. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce this similarity: the i5-10210Y matches the Intel Core i7-880 and AMD FX-9830P exactly at 1006, while the i3-8130U is within 0.1% of the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T and Intel Xeon W3565.

For multi-threaded workloads, modern rendering, and power-sensitive designs, the i5-10210Y is the stronger option. For legacy single-threaded workloads that mirror R15's profile, the i3-8130U holds a specific advantage. The data does not suggest the i3-8130U is generally faster; rather, it has a narrow niche. Most users should favor the i5-10210Y based on its broader benchmark wins and higher average score.