Intel Core i5-13420H vs Intel Core i7-10700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core i7-10700, a desktop part from the 10th generation, wins 7 of the 23 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-13420H, a mobile chip from the 13th generation, wins 16. This outcome is not a simple generational sweep; the two chips excel in different workload categories.

The i7-10700’s most decisive victories come in memory and data manipulation tasks. In passmark random string sorting, the i7-10700 scores 31585 against 22045 for the i5-13420H, a 43.3% advantage. This is the largest single-test delta in the comparison. The i7-10700 also leads substantially in passmark extended instructions, scoring 16160 versus 12897, a 25.3% edge. In data compression, the i7-10700 records 252113 compared to 209450, a 20.4% win. These results point to a chip that handles certain data-heavy, multi-threaded workloads with notable efficiency.

The i5-13420H, meanwhile, dominates in rendering and encryption workloads. In cinebench r15 multicore, the i5-13420H scores 1738 versus 1099 for the i7-10700, a massive 36.8% lead. The cinebench r20 multicore test shows a 23.8% advantage for the i5-13420H, with scores of 6013 and 4582 respectively. Even in cinebench r23 multicore, where the gap narrows, the i5-13420H still wins with 11084 against 10910, a 1.6% edge. The i5-13420H’s single-core performance is also consistently ahead: 948 versus 793 in 3dmark single thread (16.4% faster), 1689 versus 1540 in cinebench r23 singlecore (8.8% faster), and 3396 versus 2891 in passmark single thread (14.9% faster).

One of the most striking results is in passmark data encryption. The i5-13420H scores 11559, while the i7-10700 manages only 5379, a 53.5% difference. This is the largest margin of any test in either direction. The i5-13420H also wins in passmark physics (1012 vs 794, a 21.5% lead) and passmark floating point math (42806 vs 38823, a 9.3% advantage). In 3dmark tests, the results are mixed: the i7-10700 wins 16-thread (6465 vs 5518, a 17.2% lead) and max-thread (6719 vs 5587, a 20.3% lead), but the i5-13420H takes the 2-thread (1871 vs 1565, a 16.4% lead) and 4-thread (3357 vs 2996, a 10.8% lead) tests.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-10700 is the stronger choice for workloads that scale with thread count and benefit from large shared caches. Its wins in 3dmark max threads, 3dmark 16 threads, and 3dmark 8 threads (4945 vs 4614, a 7.2% lead) show that it maintains performance when all 16 threads are active. The data compression and extended instructions results reinforce this pattern: the i7-10700’s 8 cores and 16 threads, paired with its 16 MB of shared L3 cache, give it a clear edge in these parallel data tasks. Integer math is another area where it leads, scoring 62988 versus 58156, an 8.3% advantage.

The i5-13420H is the better performer in single-threaded and lightly threaded applications. It wins every single-core test in the database, from 3dmark single thread to cinebench r15 singlecore (238 vs 155, a 34.9% lead) to passmark single thread. This makes it the stronger option for everyday responsiveness, office productivity, and any software that relies on one or two fast cores. Its encryption performance is exceptional, more than doubling the i7-10700’s score in that specific test. The i5-13420H also wins in physics calculations and floating point math, suggesting an advantage in scientific and simulation workloads.

For rendering, the i5-13420H is clearly superior in cinebench r15 and r20 multicore, but the gap narrows considerably in r23 multicore, where it barely edges out the i7-10700. This suggests that the i7-10700’s additional threads help it stay competitive in longer, more demanding render tasks, even though the i5-13420H ultimately still wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i7-10700 is built on Comet Lake, using a 14 nm process, while the i5-13420H uses Raptor Lake-H on a 10 nm process. This manufacturing difference explains much of the i5-13420H’s efficiency and clock behavior, though the recorded data does not include power consumption figures.

Core counts are identical at 8 cores, but the threading differs. The i7-10700 supports 16 threads, while the i5-13420H supports 12 threads. This is because the i5-13420H uses a hybrid architecture, though the database does not specify the performance-core/efficiency-core split. The i7-10700 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the i5-13420H has a lower base clock of 2.10 GHz but a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The higher base clock of the i7-10700 does not translate into better benchmark results, as the i5-13420H’s newer architecture compensates in most tests.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i7-10700 provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. The i5-13420H offers 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the i5-13420H likely contributes to its single-threaded superiority, while the i7-10700’s larger shared L3 helps in multi-threaded data tasks.

Memory support also diverges. The i7-10700 supports DDR4 only, with a dual-channel bus and 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-13420H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its bandwidth is not recorded in the database. PCIe capabilities differ as well: the i7-10700 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i5-13420H offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with the i7-10700 featuring UHD Graphics 630 and the i5-13420H featuring Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The i7-10700 uses an Intel Socket 1200, while the i5-13420H uses Intel BGA 1744, reflecting its mobile nature.

The Verdict

The data supports distinct use cases for each processor. The i7-10700 is the better choice for multi-threaded data processing tasks. Its 43.3% lead in random string sorting, 25.3% lead in extended instructions, and 20.4% lead in data compression are substantial and consistent. For users running database operations, file compression, or custom instruction workloads, the i7-10700’s 16 threads and larger L3 cache deliver measurable advantages. Its 20.3% lead in 3dmark max threads also suggests it handles heavily threaded synthetic workloads well.

The i5-13420H is the better choice for general-purpose computing and rendering. Its single-threaded wins across every relevant test, combined with a 36.8% lead in cinebench r15 multicore and a 23.8% lead in cinebench r20 multicore, make it the stronger all-rounder. The 53.5% advantage in data encryption is particularly noteworthy for any security or cryptography-related work. For users who prioritize fast everyday performance, video rendering, or encryption, the i5-13420H is clearly superior.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this: the i7-10700 averages 19145, while the i5-13420H averages 18511. Both sit near the 73rd and 72nd percentiles of all CPUs respectively. The i7-10700’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-8700K (0.5% faster) and the Intel Core i5-12400F (0.6% slower), while the i5-13420H sits close to the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE and Intel Core i3-14100F, both within 0.7%. This places both chips in a similar overall performance tier, but with very different strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: The Intel Core i5-13420H wins every single-threaded test. It leads by 16.4% in 3dmark single thread, 34.9% in cinebench r15 singlecore, 23.8% in cinebench r20 singlecore, 8.8% in cinebench r23 singlecore, and 14.9% in passmark single thread.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded rendering?

A: The i5-13420H leads in cinebench r15 multicore by 36.8% and in r20 multicore by 23.8%, but the gap narrows to only 1.6% in cinebench r23 multicore, where the i7-10700’s 16 threads keep it competitive.

Q: Which chip handles data compression better?

A: The i7-10700 is significantly better, scoring 252113 in passmark data compression versus 209450 for the i5-13420H, a 20.4% advantage.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in either direction?

A: The largest margin is in passmark data encryption, where the i5-13420H scores 11559 against the i7-10700’s 5379, a 53.5% lead for the mobile chip.

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

A: Yes, both have 8 cores. However, the i7-10700 supports 16 threads, while the i5-13420H supports 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-13420H features Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the i7-10700 features UHD Graphics 630. The database does not include graphics benchmarks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-10700 | Intel Core i5-13420H |

|---|---|---|

| Series | Core 10th Gen | Core 13th Gen |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 46.9 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2020-04-29 | 2023-01-03 |

| Part Number | SRH6Y | SRMHX |