Intel Core i5-2450P vs Intel Core i7-2710QE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data consistently favors the Intel Core i5-2450P across every recorded workload. The i5-2450P wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 12.3% to 12.6% depending on the test. The Intel Core i7-2710QE, despite having Hyper-Threading and a mobile-oriented design, does not manage a single victory in the recorded benchmarks.

The i7-2710QE is the pick only for systems requiring the Intel Socket G2 (988B) format or integrated graphics. The i5-2450P is the stronger performer for anyone building on Intel Socket 1155 who can pair it with a discrete graphics card. The database places the i7-2710QE at the 31st percentile among all CPUs, while the i5-2450P sits at the 30th percentile, a near-identical overall standing despite the i5-2450P's consistent benchmark wins.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-2710QE | Intel Core i5-2450P |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | None |

| Memory Support | Not specified | DDR3 |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2011-01-02 | 2012-01-29 |

| Part Number | SR02T | SR0G1 |

The i7-2710QE runs at a 1.10 GHz lower base clock and a 0.50 GHz lower boost clock than the i5-2450P. It draws 50 W less power, reflecting its mobile orientation. The i7-2710QE includes Intel HD 3000 graphics; the i5-2450P has no integrated graphics at all. Both chips use the same Sandy Bridge architecture, 32 nm process, 1,160 million transistors, and 216 mm² die size.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2710QE supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading on its 4 cores. The Intel Core i5-2450P has 4 threads on 4 cores with no Hyper-Threading.

Q: Is the i5-2450P faster in multi-core workloads?

A: Yes. The i5-2450P beats the i7-2710QE by 12.3% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-2450P scores 1525 versus 1338 for the i7-2710QE.

Q: Does the i7-2710QE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 3000. The i5-2450P has no integrated graphics, so it requires a separate graphics card for display output.

Q: What sockets do these processors use?

A: The i7-2710QE uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), which is a mobile socket. The i5-2450P uses Intel Socket 1155, a desktop socket.

Q: Which chip has a higher single-core score?

A: The i5-2450P. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 512 versus 449 for the i7-2710QE, a 12.3% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it leads 215 to 188, a 12.6% gap.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-2710QE has an average benchmark score of 1096, while the i5-2450P averages 1086. The i7-2710QE sits at the 31st percentile, and the i5-2450P at the 30th percentile among all CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-2450P wins every recorded benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-2450P scores 366 against 321 for the i7-2710QE, a 12.3% deficit for the mobile chip. Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the pattern: 1525 for the i5-2450P versus 1338, again 12.3% behind. The same margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-2450P posts 3632 and the i7-2710QE trails at 3186.

Single-core results follow the same direction. Cinebench R20 single-core shows the i5-2450P at 215 and the i7-2710QE at 188, a 12.6% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core has the i5-2450P at 512 versus 449, a 12.3% difference. The i7-2710QE's Hyper-Threading does not compensate for its lower clocks in any of these tests. The wins are consistent and substantial, not marginal. Across all five head-to-head tests, the i5-2450P holds a commanding edge.

The nearest rival data puts both chips in similar company. The i7-2710QE's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-2670QM at an identical average score of 1096. The i5-2450P's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3350P at 1088, just 0.1% ahead. These comparisons show that each chip performs near the expected level for its class, but the direct head-to-head results leave no ambiguity about which is faster.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on Intel's 32 nm process at the same foundry. They have identical transistor counts at 1,160 million and the same die size of 216 mm². The cache hierarchy matches: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither supports ECC memory, and both use dual-channel memory buses.

The critical architectural split is in threading and clocks. The i7-2710QE enables 8 threads on 4 cores, while the i5-2450P runs 4 threads on 4 cores. The i7-2710QE's base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost of 3.00 GHz are far below the i5-2450P's 3.20 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The i5-2450P also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the CPU, while the i7-2710QE's PCIe specification is not recorded. The i7-2710QE integrates Intel HD 3000 graphics, whereas the i5-2450P has no iGPU.

The TDP difference reflects their intended environments. The i7-2710QE draws 45 W, suited to laptops and compact mobile systems. The i5-2450P draws 95 W, a typical desktop figure. Both chips are Sandy Bridge generation parts, but the i7-2710QE is marked as end-of-life production status, while the i5-2450P's production status is not recorded. The i7-2710QE is a mobile part with integrated graphics and more threads; the i5-2450P is a desktop part with higher clocks and PCIe Gen 3 support.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-2450P wins everywhere performance is measured. It leads in all Cinebench multi-core tests by 12.3%, showing that its higher clocks overcome the i7-2710QE's extra threads. It also wins single-core tests by 12.3% to 12.6%, which matters for lightly threaded applications like older games and everyday productivity. For desktop builders with a discrete GPU, the i5-2450P is the straightforward choice. Its PCIe Gen 3, 16-lane support also positions it better for modern graphics cards.

The i7-2710QE has no benchmark victories, but it serves a different purpose. Its 45 W TDP and Intel HD 3000 graphics make it suitable for mobile systems where power draw and integrated display output matter more than raw compute. The 8 threads could help in highly parallel mobile workloads, though the recorded data does not show any multi-core test where it overtakes the i5-2450P. Its socket, Intel Socket G2 (988B), locks it to mobile motherboards, so it is not a desktop alternative.

In summary, the i5-2450P is the faster processor in every measured scenario. The i7-2710QE is the only option for Socket G2 systems and for users who need integrated graphics, but it sacrifices 12.3% or more performance across the board. The data supports choosing the i5-2450P for any build that can accommodate a desktop socket and a discrete GPU, while the i7-2710QE remains relevant strictly for its mobile platform fit and lower power envelope.