Intel Core i5-10400H vs Intel Core i7-10710U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10400H and Intel Core i7-10710U are both 10th-generation mobile processors built on the same Comet Lake architecture, but the benchmark data shows a decisive performance hierarchy between them. Across every single benchmark test recorded, the Intel Core i7-10710U emerges victorious, with the i5-10400H trailing by a consistent margin of roughly 11% in most workloads. The data reveals a clear pattern: the i7-10710U, despite its lower TDP, is the faster chip across both multi-core and single-core tasks, making it the superior choice for users prioritizing raw computational performance in a mobile form factor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous, with the Intel Core i7-10710U winning all six head-to-head comparisons. The largest win for the i7-10710U comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 783 against the i5-10400H’s 697, translating to an 11% advantage. This pattern repeats in single-core performance, where the i7-10710U scores 110 versus 98 in Cinebench R15, a 10.9% lead.

Moving to newer Cinebench versions, the i7-10710U continues its dominance. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 3265 against 2908, again a 10.9% delta. The single-core R20 test shows 460 versus 410, maintaining the same 10.9% gap. The most demanding workload, Cinebench R23, shows the i7-10710U scoring 7774 in multi-core and 1097 in single-core, while the i5-10400H manages 6924 and 977 respectively. Both results reflect the same consistent 10.9% performance deficit for the i5-10400H.

It is importantly the i5-10400H does have a Geekbench multi-core score of 5000 and a single-core score of 1413, which are not directly compared against the i7-10710U in the head-to-head data. However, the average benchmark score for the i5-10400H is 2303, placing it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-10710U has an average benchmark score of 2248, also in the 47th percentile. Interestingly, despite losing every direct comparison, the i5-10400H has a slightly higher average score, likely due to its Geekbench results being included in its average while the i7-10710U lacks those specific test scores.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Comet Lake, built on Intel’s 14 nm process node. They also share the same socket, Intel BGA 1440, and both integrate UHD Graphics. The core configuration, however, differs significantly. The i5-10400H is a quad-core processor with 8 threads, while the i7-10710U is a hexa-core processor with 12 threads. This 50% increase in core count is the primary driver behind the i7-10710U’s multi-core advantage.

The cache hierarchy also differentiates the two. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is doubled on the i7-10710U at 12 MB compared to 6 MB on the i5-10400H. This larger cache likely contributes to the i7-10710U’s better performance in cache-sensitive workloads. The base clock speeds are drastically different, with the i5-10400H at 2.60 GHz and the i7-10710U at a much lower 1100.00 MHz, though the boost clocks are similar at 4.60 GHz and 4.70 GHz respectively.

Power consumption is a major architectural differentiator. The i5-10400H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i7-10710U is rated at just 25 watts. This lower TDP is typical for a U-series chip designed for thinner, more power-efficient laptops. The i5-10400H supports dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the i7-10710U’s memory bus and bandwidth are not specified in the data. Both support DDR3 and DDR4 memory, and neither supports ECC memory. The i5-10400H also specifies PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i7-10710U’s PCIe generation is not listed.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the i7-10710U wins in every category tested. It is faster in both multi-core and single-core tasks across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This makes it the clear choice for users who need maximum processing power for CPU-intensive applications like video editing, 3D rendering, or software compilation. The 12 threads and 12 MB of L3 cache provide a tangible advantage in multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by the consistent 10.9% lead in multi-core tests.

The i5-10400H, despite losing all head-to-head comparisons, has a few points in its favor. It has a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz versus the i7-10710U’s 1100.00 MHz, which could suggest better sustained performance in short bursts at lower power states. Its 45 W TDP indicates it is designed for performance-oriented laptops with better cooling, potentially allowing it to maintain boost clocks for longer periods. Additionally, the i5-10400H has a higher average benchmark score of 2303 compared to 2248 for the i7-10710U, and it is still in active production, while the i7-10710U is end-of-life.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two processors are stark. The i5-10400H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-10710U has 6 cores and 12 threads. The L3 cache is 6 MB on the i5-10400H and 12 MB on the i7-10710U. The base clock differs significantly: 2.60 GHz for the i5-10400H versus 1100.00 MHz for the i7-10710U. The boost clock is slightly higher on the i7-10710U at 4.70 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. The TDP is 45 W for the i5-10400H and 25 W for the i7-10710U.

The memory bus and bandwidth are specified for the i5-10400H as dual-channel with 46.9 GB/s, but these fields are null for the i7-10710U. Similarly, the i5-10400H lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i7-10710U has no PCIe data. The production status differs, with the i5-10400H active and the i7-10710U end-of-life. The release dates also differ, with the i5-10400H released on 2020-04-01 and the i7-10710U on 2019-08-20. The part number is listed for the i5-10400H as SRH8R, while the i7-10710U has no part number. Neither processor has a launch MSRP, and both have locked multipliers.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-10710U is faster in all multi-core tests. It scores 783 in Cinebench R15, 3265 in R20, and 7774 in R23, while the i5-10400H scores 697, 2908, and 6924 respectively.

Q: Does the i5-10400H win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the i7-10710U winning all six benchmarks, with the i5-10400H having zero wins. The i5-10400H does have a higher average benchmark score overall (2303 vs 2248), but it loses every direct comparison.

Q: How do their core counts differ?

A: The i5-10400H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-10710U has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i7-10710U also has double the L3 cache at 12 MB versus 6 MB.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-10400H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i7-10710U has a TDP of 25 watts. This makes the i7-10710U more power-efficient despite being faster in benchmarks.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are based on Comet Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 14 nm process, and use the Intel BGA 1440 socket.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The i5-10400H is listed as active in production, while the i7-10710U is listed as end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: the Intel Core i7-10710U is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. With 6 cores, 12 threads, and 12 MB of L3 cache, it delivers a consistent 10.9% performance advantage over the i5-10400H in both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests. The i7-10710U achieves this while consuming 20 watts less power (25 W vs 45 W TDP), making it a more efficient choice for thin-and-light laptops.

However, the i5-10400H is not without merit. It has a higher base clock (2.60 GHz vs 1100.00 MHz), a higher average benchmark score (2303 vs 2248), and is still in active production. Its 45 W TDP suggests it may be better suited for gaming laptops with robust cooling solutions, where sustained boost clocks could be maintained. For users buying new hardware, the i5-10400H’s active status is a practical consideration, as the i7-10710U is end-of-life.

For performance, the choice is clear: the i7-10710U wins outright. For availability and potentially better sustained performance in a well-cooled chassis, the i5-10400H remains a viable option. The data shows that the i7-10710U is the faster chip, but the i5-10400H is the more current production part. Ultimately, users should prioritize the i7-10710U if raw performance is the goal, while those concerned about future availability may lean toward the i5-10400H.