Intel Core i5-10210Y vs Intel Core i7-960 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench results present a clear pattern across every workload: the Intel Core i5-10210Y finishes ahead of the Intel Core i7-960 in all five paired tests. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i5-10210Y scores 206 against 170 for the i7-960, a difference of 21.2 percent. That is the widest single gap in the dataset, but it is only slightly larger than the other margins, which cluster near 20 percent.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-10210Y scores 350 while the i7-960 scores 290, putting the newer part 20.7 percent ahead. The R20 multi-core test shows 1461 versus 1211, a 20.6 percent lead for the i5-10210Y. Cinebench R23 multi-core repeats the pattern: 3479 for the i5-10210Y and 2885 for the i7-960, again a 20.6 percent advantage. Single-core results in R23 also land at 20.6 percent, with the i5-10210Y scoring 491 and the i7-960 scoring 407.

Every head-to-head benchmark in the database has the same winner. There are no tests where the i7-960 takes the lead, and the margins are consistent rather than workload-dependent. The i5-10210Y wins all five recorded comparisons, and the deltas range from 20.6 percent to 21.2 percent, a remarkably narrow spread. This consistency suggests the performance gap is not driven by a particular benchmark characteristic, such as memory bandwidth or cache behavior, but rather by a fundamental advantage that appears across single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads alike.

The average benchmark score reinforces this picture. The i5-10210Y has an average score of 1006, while the i7-960 sits at 993. Both processors occupy the 27th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically indistinguishable in overall standing despite the younger part winning every direct test. The nearest rivals for the i5-10210Y include the Intel Core i7-880 and AMD FX-9830P, both with an average score of 1006, and the Intel Core i7-2630QM at 1005. For the i7-960, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-965, AMD Phenom II X6 1065T, and Intel Xeon W3565, all at 993. The percentile equivalence suggests that while the i5-10210Y wins the direct head-to-head, the two CPUs are close enough in overall performance to be grouped together in the broader ranking.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-10210Y wins every benchmark category in the dataset. That includes all multi-core tests, all single-core tests, and every Cinebench generation represented. For users running Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, the newer processor is consistently faster. The margin in multi-core tests, 20.6 to 20.7 percent, is nearly identical to the single-core margins, 20.6 to 21.2 percent. This indicates that the i5-10210Y does not merely scale better with additional threads; it also has a substantial per-core advantage.

There are no recorded benchmark categories where the i7-960 wins. The older processor trails in every single test, and its only close call is in average benchmark score, where it sits 1.3 percent behind the i5-10210Y. That small overall difference, however, does not translate into any individual test victory. The i7-960 may still be relevant for users who rely on legacy software or specific platform features, but the data does not show a single Cinebench scenario where it outperforms the i5-10210Y.

For workloads that resemble Cinebench, which is a common proxy for rendering and general CPU compute, the i5-10210Y is the clear choice. The consistency of the margins, all within a one percentage point range, means the result is stable across different Cinebench versions and not an artifact of one particular test. The i7-960 cannot claim any workload advantage based on the recorded benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i5-10210Y is built on Comet Lake, specifically the Comet Lake-Y variant, using a 14 nm process node from Intel. The i7-960 uses the older Nehalem architecture, codenamed Bloomfield, on a 45 nm process node. The process node difference is substantial, and it directly affects power efficiency and thermal characteristics, though the exact wattage figures are covered in the specification section.

The i5-10210Y integrates UHD Graphics, while the i7-960 has no integrated graphics at all. This means the i5-10210Y can drive a display without a discrete GPU, whereas the i7-960 requires a separate graphics card. For a desktop platform from 2009, that was normal, but it is a notable functional difference for any modern use case.

The i7-960 has a transistor count of 731 million and a die size of 263 mm², both recorded in the database. The i5-10210Y does not have transistor or die size data listed, so a direct comparison on those metrics is not possible. However, the process node difference alone suggests a much denser and smaller design for the newer part.

Cache organization also differs. Both CPUs 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 i7-960: 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared on the i5-10210Y. That gives the older processor a 2 MB L3 advantage, which might help in some cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark results do not show this translating into any win. The i5-10210Y compensates with higher clock speeds and a newer microarchitecture.

Memory support is listed as DDR3 for both, but the i7-960 has a triple-channel memory bus, while the i5-10210Y does not list a memory bus configuration. The i5-10210Y also does not list PCIe support, while the i7-960 has PCIe Gen 2. These platform differences reflect the different market segments: the i5-10210Y is a mobile processor, and the i7-960 is a desktop part.

The i7-960 has a part number, SLBEU, and is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-10210Y is still active in production. The release dates are far apart: the i7-960 launched in October 2009, and the i5-10210Y launched in August 2019. Neither processor has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the thermal design power. The i5-10210Y has a TDP of 9 watts, while the i7-960 has a TDP of 130 watts. That is a massive gap, over 14 times higher for the older chip. The i5-10210Y is designed for fanless or low-power mobile devices, while the i7-960 is a high-power desktop part that requires substantial cooling.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The i5-10210Y has a base clock of 1000 MHz, or 1.0 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The i7-960 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.47 GHz. The older chip has a much higher base clock, but the newer chip boosts far higher. This explains why the i5-10210Y wins single-core tests despite its low base frequency: the boost clock is what matters in short, bursty workloads, and 4.00 GHz versus 3.47 GHz is a clear advantage.

Core and thread counts are identical. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-10210Y is not a multi-core monster; it wins through IPC improvements and higher boost clocks rather than additional cores.

The socket is different. The i5-10210Y uses Intel BGA 1440, which is a soldered mobile socket, while the i7-960 uses Intel Socket 1366, a desktop LGA socket. This means the i5-10210Y is not upgradeable in a traditional sense, while the i7-960 was part of a desktop platform with replaceable CPUs.

The i7-960 has a triple-channel memory bus, which is a feature the i5-10210Y does not list. In theory, triple-channel memory provides more bandwidth, but the benchmark results do not show the i7-960 leveraging this into a win. The i5-10210Y has no PCIe version listed, while the i7-960 has PCIe Gen 2.

Both processors support DDR3 memory. Neither supports ECC memory. Both have locked multipliers, so neither can be overclocked by changing the multiplier.

The i5-10210Y has integrated graphics, UHD Graphics, while the i7-960 has none. The i5-10210Y is a mobile part, and the i7-960 is a desktop part. The i5-10210Y is active in production, and the i7-960 is end-of-life.

The i7-960 has a transistor count of 731 million and a die size of 263 mm², while the i5-10210Y has neither metric recorded. The i5-10210Y uses a 14 nm process, and the i7-960 uses a 45 nm process.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i7-960 has a TDP of 130 watts, while the Intel Core i5-10210Y has a TDP of 9 watts.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-10210Y scores 3479, while the Intel Core i7-960 scores 2885, giving the i5-10210Y a 20.6 percent advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-960 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-10210Y has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-10210Y has UHD Graphics, while the Intel Core i7-960 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the release date difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-960 was released in October 2009, and the Intel Core i5-10210Y was released in August 2019.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Core i5-10210Y is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all five Cinebench tests, with margins between 20.6 percent and 21.2 percent. The average benchmark score also favors the i5-10210Y, at 1006 versus 993, though both land at the 27th percentile among all CPUs.

The i5-10210Y is the choice for anyone running Cinebench-style workloads, which include rendering, video encoding, and general CPU compute. Its boost clock of 4.00 GHz and newer 14 nm Comet Lake architecture give it a decisive edge in both single-core and multi-core tests. The 9 watt TDP also means it can deliver this performance in a low-power mobile form factor, a stark contrast to the 130 watt desktop i7-960.

The i7-960 does retain a larger L3 cache, 8 MB versus 6 MB, and a triple-channel memory bus, but neither advantage appears in the benchmark results. The older processor also has a higher base clock, 3.20 GHz versus 1.00 GHz, but the i5-10210Y more than compensates with a boost clock that is 0.53 GHz higher.

For a user choosing between these two, the i5-10210Y is the clear winner based on the recorded data. It is faster in every test, uses far less power, and is still in active production. The i7-960 is an end-of-life desktop part from 2009, and while it holds its own in average score percentile, it cannot match the newer processor in any direct comparison.

The i5-10210Y is the pick for modern workloads, especially in mobile or low-power systems. The i7-960 might still serve in a legacy desktop build where the platform, including the Socket 1366 motherboard and triple-channel memory, is already in place, but the benchmark data gives no reason to choose it over the i5-10210Y for raw performance.