Intel Core i5-10500 vs Intel Core i7-9850HE Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10500 and Intel Core i7-9850HE are both six-core, twelve-thread Intel processors, but they serve completely different platforms: one is a desktop part for Socket 1200, the other a mobile part on BGA 1440. The benchmark data shows a clear, consistent pattern across every single test, with the i5-10500 winning all six head-to-head comparisons. The margins are tight but uniform, ranging from a 3.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core to a 3.8% lead in multi-core tests like Cinebench R20 and R23. Their average benchmark scores are close—2446 for the i5-10500 versus 2421 for the i7-9850HE—and both sit at the 48th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they land in the same performance tier despite the consistent per-test advantage for the desktop chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most telling result is the consistency of the victory margins. In multi-core workloads, the i5-10500 beats the i7-9850HE by exactly 3.8% in Cinebench R15 (875 vs 843), R20 (3648 vs 3515), and R23 (8686 vs 8370). This uniformity suggests the performance gap is structural—likely clock-speed related—rather than workload-specific. The i5-10500 maintains the same 3.8% edge regardless of whether the test is short (R15) or longer and more demanding (R23), which points to a sustained advantage rather than a brief boost.

Single-core results tell a similar story, with the i5-10500 leading by 3.4% in Cinebench R15 (123 vs 119) and 3.6% in R20 (514 vs 496). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin stretches slightly to 3.8% (1226 vs 1181). These are not massive differences, but they are absolute and unwavering. For a user deciding between these two, the data says the i5-10500 is faster in every measurable way, even if the delta is modest.

The Geekbench scores are only available for the i5-10500—3381 multi-core and 1117 single-core—so no direct comparison is possible there. However, the Cinebench suite is comprehensive enough to establish the pattern. The i5-10500’s average benchmark score of 2446 places it just 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon D-1541 and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i3-1125G4, while the i7-9850HE’s 2421 average sits 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-8500B and AMD Ryzen 5 4680U. Both chips are effectively neck-and-neck with their closest rivals, but the i5-10500 has the edge over its mobile counterpart.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-10500 wins everywhere in this comparison—there is no benchmark in the data where the i7-9850HE comes out ahead. That said, the practical implications differ by use case. For desktop users building a Socket 1200 system, the i5-10500 offers a 3.8% multi-core advantage in every Cinebench iteration, which translates to slightly faster rendering, compilation, and other heavily threaded tasks. The single-core lead of 3.4% to 3.8% also helps in everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications.

The i7-9850HE, despite losing every head-to-head test, has its own niche: it is a 45W mobile part in a BGA 1440 package, while the i5-10500 is a 65W desktop chip. The data does not include power consumption or thermal measurements, but the 45W TDP classifies the i7-9850HE for laptops and compact embedded systems where the i5-10500’s desktop socket and higher 65W TDP are not viable. If the requirement is a soldered mobile processor with a 45W envelope, the i7-9850HE is the only option here, even if it trails by roughly 3.8% in multi-core and 3.4-3.8% in single-core. The i5-10500 wins on raw performance; the i7-9850HE wins on form factor eligibility.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-10500 is faster in every multi-core test. It leads by 3.8% in Cinebench R15 (875 vs 843), R20 (3648 vs 3515), and R23 (8686 vs 8370).

Q: Is the single-core performance also better on the i5-10500?

A: Yes. The i5-10500 wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 3.4% (123 vs 119), R20 by 3.6% (514 vs 496), and R23 by 3.8% (1226 vs 1181).

Q: Do these CPUs have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the clock speeds of each processor?

A: The i5-10500 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i7-9850HE has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The i5-10500 is listed as Active, while the i7-9850HE is marked as End-of-life.

Q: Which socket does each processor use?

A: The i5-10500 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i7-9850HE uses Intel BGA 1440.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications beyond their benchmark scores. The i5-10500 has a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz compared to 2.70 GHz on the i7-9850HE, and a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. The TDP also differs significantly: the i5-10500 is rated at 65W, while the i7-9850HE is rated at 45W. This reflects their different market segments—the i5-10500 is a Desktop part, while the i7-9850HE is Mobile.

The sockets are incompatible: the i5-10500 uses Intel Socket 1200, and the i7-9850HE uses Intel BGA 1440. The i5-10500 has a larger L3 cache at 12 MB (shared), whereas the i7-9850HE has 9 MB (shared). Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory. The i5-10500 lists PCIe as "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)", while the i7-9850HE simply lists "Gen 3". Both feature UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics. The i7-9850HE has a listed die size of 149 mm², while the i5-10500 has no die size listed. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process, but they belong to different architectural generations. The i5-10500 is part of the Comet Lake architecture (Core 10th Gen), while the i7-9850HE is based on Coffee Lake, specifically the Coffee Lake-HR codename. The i5-10500’s generation is listed as "Core i5 (Comet Lake)", whereas the i7-9850HE is "Core i7 (Coffee Lake-HR)".

The L1 and L2 cache structures are identical: 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2. The difference lies in L3 cache, where the i5-10500 has 12 MB shared versus 9 MB shared on the i7-9850HE. This 3 MB difference in last-level cache may contribute to the consistent performance lead of the i5-10500. The i7-9850HE also has a documented die size of 149 mm², which is not listed for the i5-10500. Both are manufactured by Intel and use the same 14 nm process node. The i5-10500 has a part number of SRH3A, while the i7-9850HE has SRFED.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-10500 is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded. It wins all six head-to-head tests with margins between 3.4% and 3.8%, and it has a higher average benchmark score (2446 vs 2421). If you are choosing purely on performance and your platform can accommodate a desktop Socket 1200 CPU with a 65W TDP, the i5-10500 is the clear pick. Its higher base and boost clocks, combined with a larger 12 MB L3 cache, deliver a consistent edge in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The i7-9850HE, however, is not without reason to exist. It is a 45W mobile processor in a BGA 1440 package, designed for laptops or embedded systems where the i5-10500 cannot physically fit. Its lower TDP and soldered design make it the only viable option for those specific mobile applications, even though it trails the i5-10500 by roughly 3.8% in multi-core and 3.4-3.8% in single-core performance. The i7-9850HE is also marked as End-of-life, while the i5-10500 remains Active, which matters for long-term availability. For a desktop builder, the verdict is easy: take the i5-10500. For a mobile system integrator constrained to a 45W BGA part, the i7-9850HE is the functional choice, but the benchmark data shows it is the slower chip in every test.