Intel Core i5-10210U vs Intel Core i5-8250U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8250U and Intel Core i5-10210U are both 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors built on Intel’s 14 nm process, but the data shows a clear generational shift. Across 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Core i5-10210U wins 16, while the Core i5-8250U manages a single tie. The newer chip leads by margins ranging from 1.2% to 11.5%, with its largest advantages appearing in single-threaded workloads. The Core i5-8250U remains competitive in multithreaded tasks, trailing by only 4–5% in most Cinebench tests, but the Core i5-10210U’s higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz versus 3.40 GHz gives it a decisive edge in frequency-sensitive applications.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i5-10210U as the superior processor for nearly every workload category measured. It wins every benchmark except for a dead heat in PassMark’s find prime numbers test, where both chips score 18. The verdict is straightforward: if you are choosing between these two for a new purchase, the Core i5-10210U is the pick for users who want better single-thread performance, faster data compression, and stronger floating-point math. Its 11.5% lead in PassMark single-thread (2131 vs 1886) is the largest gap in the entire comparison, making it the clear choice for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications.

However, the Core i5-8250U is not without merit. Its average benchmark score of 8577 is actually higher than the Core i5-10210U’s 8344, though this is influenced by the newer chip’s inclusion of Geekbench scores in its average. The Core i5-8250U also sits at the 64th percentile of all CPUs, matching the Core i5-10210U’s percentile. For users who already own a system with the 8250U, the data does not suggest an urgent upgrade, as the performance delta in multithreaded tasks like Cinebench R23 multi-core is only 4% (4918 vs 5122). The 10210U is the better chip, but the 8250U remains a capable performer for its generation.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: 4 cores, 8 threads, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. They are both manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process node by Intel’s own foundry. The core count and cache hierarchy are identical, meaning raw parallel throughput is limited by clock speed and microarchitectural refinements rather than resource allocation.

The critical difference lies in the architecture generation. The Core i5-8250U is built on Kaby Lake with the codename Kaby Lake-R, belonging to the Core i5 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) generation. The Core i5-10210U uses Comet Lake, specifically the Comet Lake-U architecture, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen series. While both use the same process node, Comet Lake is a more mature design with higher achievable clock speeds. The boost clock tells the story: the 8250U tops out at 3.40 GHz, while the 10210U reaches 4.20 GHz — a 0.80 GHz advantage that explains most of the performance deltas.

Other differences include socket and memory support. The 8250U uses Intel BGA 1356, while the 10210U uses Intel BGA 1440. The 8250U supports only DDR4 memory, whereas the 10210U supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The integrated graphics also differ in naming: the 8250U has UHD 620, while the 10210U lists simply UHD Graphics. The 8250U has a die size of 123 mm², while the 10210U does not report a die size. The 8250U’s TDP is 15 watts, and the 10210U’s TDP is 25 watts, which may impact thermal design in thin laptops despite similar performance class.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core i5-10210U dominates across the board, but the magnitude of its wins varies significantly by workload. The largest margin is in PassMark single-thread tests, where the 10210U scores 2131 against the 8250U’s 1886, a delta of 11.5%. This is a substantial gap for single-core performance and reflects the boost clock advantage. In PassMark integer math, the 10210U leads by 8.1% (22732 vs 20885), and in floating-point math, it leads by 7% (13657 vs 12706). These are the second and third largest deltas, respectively, indicating that the newer chip handles arithmetic-heavy tasks notably better.

In extended instructions, the 10210U scores 5269 versus 4920, a 6.6% advantage. This test often reflects SIMD and vectorized workloads, where Comet Lake’s refinements help. Data compression shows a 4.5% win for the 10210U (80157 vs 76521), and data encryption shows a 3.5% win (2051 vs 1979). Multithreaded performance is closer: PassMark multithread gives the 10210U a 4.8% lead (6104 vs 5812), while Cinebench R23 multi-core shows only a 4% difference (5122 vs 4918). The Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests both show roughly 4% leads for the 10210U (516 vs 495 and 2151 vs 2065, respectively).

Single-core Cinebench results follow a similar pattern. R15 single-core shows a 4.2% lead (72 vs 69), R20 single-core shows 4% (303 vs 291), and R23 single-core shows 4% (723 vs 694). The smallest wins are in PassMark physics (1.2%, 410 vs 405) and random string sorting (4.4%, 10730 vs 10257). The only non-loss for the 8250U is PassMark find prime numbers, where both score exactly 18, resulting in a 0% delta and a win for the older chip by tie-breaking rules.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-10210U has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to 3.40 GHz for the Intel Core i5-8250U. Both have the same base clock of 1600 MHz.

Q: How much faster is the Core i5-10210U in single-threaded performance?

A: In PassMark single-thread tests, the 10210U scores 2131 versus 1886 for the 8250U, representing an 11.5% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a smaller 4% gap (723 vs 694).

Q: Are these processors equal in multithreaded workloads?

A: No, but the gap is modest. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 10210U scores 5122 versus 4918 for the 8250U, a 4% difference. PassMark multithread shows a 4.8% lead for the 10210U (6104 vs 5812).

Q: Do both processors have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes, both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The core and thread counts are also identical at 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the memory support difference?

A: The Core i5-8250U supports only DDR4 memory. The Core i5-10210U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core i5-8250U has an average benchmark score of 8577, while the Core i5-10210U scores 8344. However, the 10210U includes Geekbench scores in its average, which are not present for the 8250U.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-10210U wins in every benchmark category except one tie, making it the default choice for performance-oriented users. Its strongest advantages are in single-threaded and arithmetic-heavy tasks: an 11.5% lead in PassMark single-thread, 8.1% in integer math, 7% in floating-point math, and 6.6% in extended instructions. These results make it the better pick for users who run spreadsheet calculations, compile code, or use applications that rely on per-core speed. The data also shows a 4.5% win in data compression (80157 vs 76521), which is relevant for file archiving and database workloads.

The Intel Core i5-8250U wins exactly one head-to-head comparison: PassMark find prime numbers, where both chips score 18, resulting in a 0% delta and a tie-break win for the older processor. This is a negligible result for real-world usage. Where the 8250U remains relevant is in its power profile: its 15-watt TDP is lower than the 10210U’s 25-watt TDP, making it potentially more suitable for fanless or ultra-thin designs despite its lower performance. The 8250U is also still in active production, whereas the 10210U is marked as end-of-life, which may affect long-term availability for system integrators.

For users upgrading from an older system, the 10210U is the clear winner. For those comparing used laptops, the 8250U still delivers respectable multithreaded scores, trailing by only 4% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The 10210U’s 4.20 GHz boost clock is the defining feature, and it shows in every single-threaded and latency-sensitive benchmark. The data does not support any scenario where the 8250U outperforms the 10210U in actual compute tasks, but its lower TDP and active production status provide qualitative benefits for specific hardware designs.