Intel Core i5-10210Y vs Intel Core i7-5600U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10210Y and Intel Core i7-5600U are both low-power mobile processors, but they come from different generations and are built for different purposes. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy: the i5-10210Y wins every head-to-head benchmark in this comparison, with margins of roughly 37% across the board. The i7-5600U, while older and built on a 14 nm process like its rival, offers a higher base clock and a dual-channel memory bus, yet it cannot match the newer chip’s multi-threaded throughput. This page breaks down the architecture, benchmark results, and practical use cases for each CPU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-10210Y wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3479 against the i7-5600U's 2537, a 37.1% advantage. The margin is similar in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1461 vs 1065, a 37.2% lead) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (350 vs 255, a 37.3% lead).

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i5-10210Y is also faster in single-core workloads. It scores 491 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 358 for the i7-5600U, a 37.2% difference. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-10210Y leads with 206 vs 150, which is a 37.3% gap.

Q: What is the core and thread count for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i5-10210Y has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i7-5600U has 2 cores and 4 threads. This difference is a major factor in the i5's multi-core dominance.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) for each?

A: The i5-10210Y has a TDP of 9 watts, while the i7-5600U is rated at 15 watts. This makes the i5 the more power-efficient part on paper, despite its higher performance in these tests.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-10210Y has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-5600U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5's larger cache likely contributes to its better benchmark results.

Q: What are their production statuses?

A: The Intel Core i5-10210Y is listed as "Active" in production, while the Intel Core i7-5600U is listed as "End-of-life". This suggests the i5 is the more current and supported option.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-10210Y is based on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-Y codename, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen series. In contrast, the Intel Core i7-5600U uses the Broadwell architecture, with the codename Broadwell-U, and belongs to the Core i7 (Broadwell-U) generation.

Both are fabricated on the same 14 nm process node from Intel, which is a key similarity. However, the transistor counts and die sizes differ significantly. The i7-5600U is documented with 1,300 million transistors on an 82 mm² die. The i5-10210Y's data for transistors and die size is not provided in the fact pack.

The core configurations are a major architectural split. The i5-10210Y features 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-5600U has only 2 cores and 4 threads. This doubling of cores and threads is the primary reason for the i5's superior multi-core performance. The cache hierarchy also differs: the i5-10210Y has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i7-5600U has 4 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i5-10210Y uses Intel UHD Graphics, while the i7-5600U is equipped with Intel HD 5500. The fact pack does not provide performance metrics for these iGPUs, so a direct comparison is not possible here.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is one-sided. The Intel Core i5-10210Y wins all five recorded benchmark comparisons, with the i7-5600U registering zero wins. The winning margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around 37% in every test.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-10210Y scores 350 versus 255 for the i7-5600U, a delta of 37.3%. This test is often indicative of older rendering workloads. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-10210Y scores 1461 against 1065, a 37.2% lead. This pattern continues in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-10210Y reaches 3479 and the i7-5600U trails at 2537, a 37.1% difference.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-10210Y leads with 206 points versus 150, a 37.3% advantage. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the i5-10210Y at 491 and the i7-5600U at 358, a 37.2% gap. The consistency of these margins suggests that the performance difference is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental throughput advantage for the newer chip.

It is worth remembering the i7-5600U has additional benchmarks listed in its own profile, including Geekbench multi-core (1750) and single-core (917), but these are not part of the head-to-head comparison section. The i5-10210Y does not have Geekbench scores listed in its profile, so a direct comparison on that test is not possible from this data.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ on several key specification fields. The most obvious is the core and thread count: the i5-10210Y has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-5600U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Clock speeds also differ. The i5-10210Y has a base clock of 1000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The i7-5600U has a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.20 GHz. This means the i7-5600U runs faster at idle or light loads, but the i5-10210Y can reach a much higher peak frequency when needed.

TDP is another differentiator. The i5-10210Y is rated at 9 watts, while the i7-5600U is rated at 15 watts. This makes the i5 more suitable for fanless or ultra-thin designs, whereas the i7-5600U requires more cooling.

The sockets are incompatible: the i5-10210Y uses Intel BGA 1440, and the i7-5600U uses Intel BGA 1168. The memory support is the same (DDR3), but the memory bus differs. The i7-5600U has a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-10210U's memory bus and bandwidth are not specified. The i7-5600U also lists PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-10210Y's PCIe information is absent.

The i7-5600U has a launch MSRP of $393 and a part number of SR23V. The i5-10210Y has no launch MSRP or part number listed. Both are locked (multiplierUnlocked is false). The i5-10210Y was released on 2019-08-20, while the i7-5600U was released on 2015-02-28.

Where Each One Wins

Given the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-10210Y is the clear winner in compute-heavy tasks. It dominates in all Cinebench tests, which are representative of rendering and 3D modeling workloads. The 37% lead in multi-core tests means that any task that can use multiple threads—video encoding, 3D rendering, software compilation—will be significantly faster on the i5-10210Y. Its higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz also gives it an edge in single-threaded tasks that rely on peak frequency, as shown by its 37.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The Intel Core i7-5600U has no benchmark wins in this comparison. However, its specification sheet suggests areas where it might hold a practical advantage. Its base clock of 2.60 GHz is significantly higher than the i5-10210Y's 1000.00 MHz, meaning it will feel more responsive in short, bursty tasks that do not sustain heavy load, such as opening applications or basic web browsing. The i7-5600U also has a dual-channel memory bus with a specified 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, which could theoretically benefit memory-intensive applications, though the benchmark data does not confirm this. Its 15-watt TDP, while higher, also implies it can sustain higher clocks for longer periods under load than the 9-watt i5-10210Y, which may throttle sooner in sustained workloads.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-10210Y is the faster processor in every benchmark test recorded. If you are choosing between these two for a new build and performance is the priority, the i5-10210Y is the correct choice. Its 4-core/8-thread configuration and higher boost clock deliver a consistent 37% advantage in both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests. It is also the only one of the two still in active production, making it the more future-proof option.

The Intel Core i7-5600U, however, should not be dismissed entirely. Its higher base clock of 2.60 GHz makes it a potentially snappier choice for lightweight, everyday tasks where the CPU is mostly idle. Its dual-channel memory support is a spec-sheet advantage that the i5-10210Y lacks, and its 15-watt TDP may allow for more sustained performance in a chassis with adequate cooling. For legacy systems or specific workloads that benefit from dual-channel memory, the i7-5600U remains a viable part, but the benchmark evidence suggests it is outclassed by the newer i5-10210Y in almost every measurable way. The i5-10210Y is the pick for anyone who wants the best performance per the data.