Intel Core i5-10200H vs Intel Core i7-8559U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-8559U takes a clean sweep across every recorded benchmark in the database, winning all 8 head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i5-10200H. The margins are consistent and modest, ranging from 2.7% to 4.8% depending on the workload. This is not a dramatic blowout, but a steady, repeatable advantage that appears in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests.

The largest gap comes in Geekbench multicore, where the i7-8559U scores 4293 against 4096 for the i5-10200H, a 4.8% lead. That test is the most favorable to the i7-8559U in relative terms. The single-core Geekbench result shows 1384 versus 1347, a 2.7% edge, which is the smallest margin in the entire set. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-8559U posts 703 points versus 684, a 2.8% advantage, while the single-core R15 result is 99 against 96, a 3.1% gap.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore score for the i7-8559U is 2933, compared to 2853 for the i5-10200H, again a 2.8% difference. The single-core R20 test shows 414 versus 402, a 3% lead. Cinebench R23 tells the same story: multicore is 6984 against 6795, and single-core is 986 versus 959, both with a 2.8% delta. Every test follows the same pattern, the i7-8559U wins by a small but consistent margin, and the i5-10200H never manages to flip the result in any workload.

The average benchmark score in the database reflects this overall picture. The i7-8559U sits at 2225, while the i5-10200H trails at 2154. Both processors occupy the 47th percentile among all CPUs tracked, meaning they land in the same tier of overall performance, but the i7-8559U is the stronger candidate within that tier.

Where Each One Wins

Given that the i7-8559U wins every recorded benchmark, the use-case split is less about choosing one over the other and more about understanding the magnitude of the advantage in different scenarios. The database shows no test where the i5-10200H comes out ahead, so the practical question is whether the i7-8559U's lead matters in your specific workload.

For multi-threaded productivity tasks such as rendering, video encoding, or compilation, the i7-8559U holds a 2.8% edge in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore. That is a small but real improvement. In Geekbench multicore, the advantage expands to 4.8%, which is the single largest margin in the data. If your software scales across cores and threads, the i7-8559U will finish those jobs slightly faster, and the Geekbench result suggests some workloads may see a bit more benefit.

For single-threaded performance, which drives responsiveness in everyday applications like web browsing, office suites, and older games, the i7-8559U leads by 2.7% to 3.1% depending on the test. The Cinebench R15 single-core score shows the biggest single-thread gap at 3.1%, while Geekbench single-core shows the smallest at 2.7%. The i5-10200H is not far behind, but it is consistently behind.

The i5-10200H has no benchmark wins to point to in this comparison. Its strengths lie elsewhere in the specification sheet, not in raw performance scores. It does support DDR3 memory in addition to DDR4, which could matter in legacy system configurations, and it has a PCIe Gen 3 interface. But if you are selecting purely on measured performance, the i7-8559U is the winner in every category the database tracks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different underlying designs. The i7-8559U is built on Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-R refresh, while the i5-10200H uses Comet Lake architecture from the Comet Lake-H family. Both are fabricated on the same 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry, so the transistor density and manufacturing maturity are comparable.

The i7-8559U carries the Kaby Lake-U Refresh generation label, indicating its heritage in the ultra-low-power mobile segment. Its die size is recorded as 123 mm². The i5-10200H belongs to the Core 10th Gen series, with a Comet Lake-H designation that targets higher-power mobile systems. No die size is listed for the i5-10200H in the database.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i7-8559U at 8 MB, compared to 6 MB on the i5-10200H. That extra 2 MB of shared L3 cache may contribute to the i7-8559U's consistent lead in the benchmark results, particularly in multi-threaded workloads where data sharing between cores is common.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-8559U uses Iris Pro Plus graphics, while the i5-10200H is equipped with UHD Graphics. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the practical impact is not quantified here, but the Iris Pro Plus branding suggests a more capable integrated GPU on the i7-8559U.

Memory support also diverges. The i7-8559U supports DDR4 only, while the i5-10200H supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The i5-10200H additionally specifies dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the i7-8559U does not have a listed memory bus or bandwidth figure. The i5-10200H also lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i7-8559U has no PCIe specification recorded.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i7-8559U has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the i5-10200H runs at 2.40 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The i7-8559U's higher clocks in both states align with its benchmark advantage, though the i5-10200H has a significantly higher TDP.

Thermal design power is a major point of divergence. The i7-8559U is rated at 28 W, while the i5-10200H is rated at 45 W. That is a 17 W difference in favor of the i7-8559U, meaning it delivers better performance in most tests while drawing less power on paper. The i5-10200H's higher TDP suggests it is designed for thicker laptops or larger cooling solutions that can handle more heat output.

The socket types are different as well. The i7-8559U uses Intel BGA 1356, while the i5-10200H uses Intel BGA 1440. These are not interchangeable, so motherboard compatibility is a hard constraint when choosing between them. Both are mobile sockets, but they are physically distinct.

The i5-10200H has a part number recorded as SRK3X, while the i7-8559U does not have a listed part number. The i7-8559U was released on 2018-04-04, while the i5-10200H came later on 2020-09-16. Both are marked as Active in production status, so neither is discontinued.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either chip in the traditional sense. Both also lack ECC memory support. The i7-8559U's memory bus and bandwidth are not recorded, while the i5-10200H specifies dual-channel with 46.9 GB/s.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-8559U wins in every multi-core test. It scores 703 versus 684 in Cinebench R15, 2933 versus 2853 in R20, 6984 versus 6795 in R23, and 4293 versus 4096 in Geekbench multicore. The margins range from 2.8% to 4.8%.

Q: How big is the single-core advantage for the i7-8559U?

A: The i7-8559U leads by 3.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core (99 versus 96), 3% in R20 (414 versus 402), 2.8% in R23 (986 versus 959), and 2.7% in Geekbench single-core (1384 versus 1347).

Q: Does the i5-10200H have any benchmark wins?

A: No. The database records 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the i5-10200H wins none of them. The i7-8559U takes all 8.

Q: Are these processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes. Both are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node. The difference is in architecture: the i7-8559U uses Kaby Lake-R, while the i5-10200H uses Comet Lake-H.

Q: Which chip has more cache?

A: The i7-8559U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-10200H has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i7-8559U is rated at 28 W, while the i5-10200H is rated at 45 W. The i7-8559U achieves higher benchmark scores with a lower thermal envelope.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-8559U outperforms the Intel Core i5-10200H in every recorded benchmark. If you are choosing between these two based on measured performance alone, the i7-8559U is the correct pick. It wins all 8 head-to-head tests, with the largest margin being 4.8% in Geekbench multicore and the smallest being 2.7% in Geekbench single-core.

The i7-8559U also does this at a lower TDP of 28 W versus 45 W for the i5-10200H. That means it delivers better performance with less thermal overhead, which is a meaningful advantage in mobile systems where cooling and battery life are at a premium. The larger 8 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB likely contributes to this result.

The i5-10200H is not a bad processor by any means. It sits at the same 47th percentile in the overall CPU rankings and its average benchmark score of 2154 is close to the i7-8559U's 2225. It also offers broader memory support with DDR3 and DDR4, plus a recorded PCIe Gen 3 interface. But in raw compute performance, it is behind in every category.

For a user prioritizing CPU throughput, the i7-8559U is the clear choice. For a user who needs DDR3 compatibility or relies on the specific Comet Lake platform features, the i5-10200H has a reason to exist. Benchmark results, however, point decisively to the i7-8559U as the stronger performer.