Intel Core i5-10210U vs Intel Core i7-13700E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700E offers 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i5-10210U is limited to 4 cores and 8 threads. This is a 12-core and 16-thread difference in favor of the i7.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The i7-13700E leads heavily in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3944 versus 723 for the i5, a delta of -81.7% from the i5's perspective. Geekbench single-core shows 2437 versus 1213, a -50.2% gap.

Q: What is the integrated graphics difference?

A: The i5-10210U comes with UHD Graphics, while the i7-13700E is equipped with UHD Graphics 770. The i5's graphics are part of the Comet Lake mobile package, whereas the i7's are the more advanced desktop variant.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: No. The i5-10210U is marked as end-of-life, while the i7-13700E is listed as active production. The release dates also differ: the i5 launched in August 2019, and the i7 launched in January 2023.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The i5-10210U supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory. The i7-13700E supports DDR4 and DDR5, and it also has a dual-channel memory bus. ECC memory is supported on the i7 but not on the i5.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The i7-13700E boosts to 5.10 GHz, compared to 4.20 GHz on the i5-10210U. The i7 also has a higher base clock at 1900 MHz versus 1600 MHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different Intel generations and design philosophies. The i5-10210U is a Comet Lake-U mobile part built on Intel's 14 nm process. It targets thin-and-light laptops, which explains its 25 W TDP and compact BGA 1440 socket. The i7-13700E is a Raptor Lake-S desktop chip on the 10 nm node, using the LGA 1700 socket and a 65 W TDP. This is not a minor refresh; the architecture shift brings fundamental changes to core topology, cache hierarchy, and platform capabilities.

The core count disparity is the most visible architectural difference. The i5 has 4 cores and 8 threads, all based on the older Comet Lake design. The i7 has 16 cores and 24 threads, which implies a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores, typical of Raptor Lake. The cache layout reflects this: the i5 offers 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The i7 increases L1 to 80 KB per core, L2 to 2 MB per core, and L3 to 30 MB shared. The i7's die size is recorded at 257 mm², though the i5's die size is not listed.

Process technology also differs. The i5 is on 14 nm, while the i7 uses 10 nm. Both are fabricated at Intel's own foundry. The i5 has no PCIe data listed, whereas the i7 includes Gen 5 support with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i7 also supports ECC memory and a dual-channel memory bus, features absent from the i5's specification sheet. The i5 supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the i7 supports DDR4 and DDR5, showing a generational jump in memory compatibility.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5 carries UHD Graphics, while the i7 uses UHD Graphics 770. The i7 also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, which the i5 does not. Market segments diverge sharply: the i5 is a mobile part, the i7 is a desktop part. The i5's production status is end-of-life, while the i7 remains active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the i7-13700E across all eight head-to-head benchmarks. The i5-10210U records zero wins, while the i7 takes all eight. The margins, however, vary considerably by test type.

In multi-core workloads, the i7's advantage is overwhelming. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2816 for the i7 versus 516 for the i5, a -81.7% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore delivers 11735 versus 2151, also -81.7%. Cinebench R23 multicore records 27941 versus 5122, again -81.7%. These are roughly 5.4x, 5.5x, and 5.5x improvements respectively. Geekbench multicore shows a slightly smaller gap: 12728 versus 3054, a -76% delta. The i7's 16-core hybrid design clearly dominates heavily threaded rendering and productivity tasks.

Single-core tests also favor the i7, but the delta is smaller in Geekbench. Cinebench R15 singlecore shows 397 versus 72, a -81.9% delta. Cinebench R20 singlecore records 1656 versus 303, -81.7%. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 3944 versus 723, -81.7%. These are consistent -81.7% deltas across all Cinebench versions. Geekbench singlecore is the closest result in the entire comparison: 2437 versus 1213, a -50.2% delta. This suggests the i7's single-core advantage, while still massive, is less extreme in the Geekbench workload than in Cinebench.

The i5 does have additional PassMark benchmark scores in the database, such as data compression at 80157, data encryption at 2051, and floating point math at 13657. The i7 does not have corresponding PassMark scores listed, so direct head-to-head comparisons cannot be made on those specific tests. The available head-to-head data focuses exclusively on Cinebench and Geekbench.

The average benchmark score in the database tells a nuanced story. The i5-10210U has an average score of 8344, while the i7-13700E averages 7957. This is counterintuitive given the head-to-head results. The explanation lies in the i5's percentile rank: both CPUs sit at the 64th percentile versus all CPUs. The i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Gold 5320T at 8316, the Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 at 8315, and the Intel Xeon D-2799 at 8308, all within 0.4% delta. The i7's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7551P at 7952, the Intel Core i9-10980XE at 7910, and the Intel Xeon Gold 6326 at 8071. The i7's average score is actually lower than some of its rivals, as shown by the -1.4% delta to the Xeon Gold 6326 and -1.9% to the Xeon Platinum 8180M.

This discrepancy likely stems from the benchmark pool composition. The i5's average includes its PassMark scores, which may be weighted differently than the i7's Cinebench and Geekbench results. Regardless, the head-to-head data is unambiguous: the i7 wins every direct comparison by large margins.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for the two processors differ across nearly every category. The i5-10210U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-13700E has 16 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 1600 MHz for the i5 and 1900 MHz for the i7. Boost clocks are 4.20 GHz and 5.10 GHz respectively. TDP jumps from 25 W on the i5 to 65 W on the i7.

The socket changes from Intel BGA 1440 to Intel Socket 1700. Architecture moves from Comet Lake to Raptor Lake, with codenames Comet Lake-U and Raptor Lake-S. The process node shrinks from 14 nm to 10 nm. The i5's die size is not listed, while the i7 is 257 mm².

Cache specifications differ substantially. L1 cache is 64 KB per core on the i5 versus 80 KB per core on the i7. L2 cache is 256 KB per core versus 2 MB per core. L3 cache is 6 MB shared versus 30 MB shared. The i7's larger per-core L2 is particularly notable, representing an 8x increase.

Memory support diverges: the i5 supports DDR3 and DDR4, the i7 supports DDR4 and DDR5. The i7 has a dual-channel memory bus listed, while the i5 has no memory bus data. ECC memory support is false on the i5 and true on the i7. PCIe support is absent on the i5, while the i7 has Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics on the i5 versus UHD Graphics 770 on the i7. Market segments are mobile versus desktop. Production status is end-of-life versus active. Release dates are August 2019 versus January 2023. The multiplier is locked on the i5 and unlocked on the i7. The i7 has a part number (SRMG3), which the i5 lacks.

The i5-10210U has a broader benchmark suite in the database, including PassMark tests, while the i7-13700E has only Cinebench and Geekbench results. The i5's average benchmark score is 8344, slightly higher than the i7's 7957, despite the i7's massive head-to-head wins.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i7-13700E is the superior processor in every measured head-to-head benchmark. It wins all eight comparisons, with deltas ranging from -50.2% to -81.9%. For users seeking maximum multi-core performance, the i7's 16 cores and 24 threads deliver 5.5x the Cinebench R23 multicore score of the i5. Its single-core performance is equally dominant, roughly 5.5x in Cinebench and 2x in Geekbench.

The i5-10210U remains relevant only in specific contexts. Its 25 W TDP and mobile socket suit ultraportable laptops where power efficiency and compactness take priority over performance. Its end-of-life status, however, makes it a legacy choice. The i7-13700E, with its active production status, 65 W TDP, and desktop socket, targets workstations and high-performance desktops. Its ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity further position it for professional workloads.

The average benchmark scores complicate the picture slightly. The i5 records an average of 8344, while the i7 averages 7957. Both sit at the 64th percentile. This means the i5's overall database standing is not worse than the i7's, despite losing every direct test. The i5's nearest rivals include Xeon-class server chips within 0.4%, while the i7's nearest rivals include the i9-10980XE and EPYC 7551P. The i7 actually trails some of its nearest rivals by up to -1.9%.

For a laptop buyer, the i5-10210U is a dated but functional option, if available. For anyone building or upgrading a desktop, the i7-13700E is the clear choice based on raw performance. The i7's unlocked multiplier adds overclocking flexibility, and its 30 MB L3 cache provides ample headroom for memory-intensive tasks. The i5's only advantages are its lower TDP and mobile form factor, which are irrelevant in a desktop context.

Benchmark results indicate that the i7-13700E is a generation-defining leap over the i5-10210U in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The data does not support any scenario where the i5 wins on performance. The verdict is straightforward: choose the i7 for performance, choose the i5 only if constrained to a low-power mobile platform.