Intel Core i5-3470S vs Intel Core i7-10510Y Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3470S and Intel Core i7-10510Y occupy the same performance tier in the aggregate data, with average benchmark scores of 1095 and 1092 respectively — a difference of only 0.3%. Both CPUs sit at the 30th percentile among all tested processors, meaning they deliver comparable overall compute capability despite being separated by seven years of architecture and radically different design targets. The i5-3470S is a 65W desktop part from the Ivy Bridge era, while the i7-10510Y is a 9W mobile chip built for fanless ultraportables. Their similar average scores mask a clear split: in every head-to-head benchmark in the data, the desktop i5 wins, yet the mobile i7 brings far more threads per watt and a much higher boost clock. This is a comparison of a steady desktop workhorse versus a flexible mobile processor that trades sustained throughput for efficiency and portability.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470S wins every single benchmark recorded in the head-to-head comparison, making it the outright performance leader in this matchup. In multi-core workloads, the i5-3470S posts a Cinebench R23 score of 3711 against the i7-10510Y's 3173, a 17% advantage. The gap is consistent across all Cinebench versions: R15 multicore shows 373 versus 319 (16.9% ahead), R20 multicore shows 1558 versus 1332 (17% ahead), and R20 single-core shows 220 versus 187 (17.6% ahead). The i5-3470S also wins the single-core R23 test with 524 versus 447, a 17.2% margin. This means the i5-3470S is the better choice for any workload that is CPU-bound, whether it is multi-threaded rendering or single-threaded responsiveness.

The Intel Core i7-10510Y does not win any of the five head-to-head benchmarks, but its value lies outside raw performance. Its 9W TDP is dramatically lower than the i5-3470S's 65W, which makes it suitable for passively cooled laptops and tablets where the i5-3470S could never operate. The i7-10510Y also has 8 threads versus 4, giving it better multi-threading capability per unit of power consumed. Its 4.50 GHz boost clock is significantly higher than the i5-3470S's 3.60 GHz, which suggests it can burst to higher frequencies for short-duration tasks, even if sustained performance does not match the desktop chip. For users prioritizing battery life, low heat output, and a compact form factor, the i7-10510Y is the only viable option in this pairing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i5-3470S is built on Intel's 22 nm Ivy Bridge process, while the i7-10510Y uses the 14 nm Comet Lake-Y process. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the newer 14 nm node allows for the i7's dramatically lower power envelope. The i5-3470S has a die size of 133 mm², while the i7-10510Y's die size is not listed in the data. The i5-3470S is a desktop part using Intel Socket 1155, whereas the i7-10510Y is a mobile part soldered to Intel BGA 1440, meaning it cannot be upgraded or swapped by the user.

Core counts are identical at 4 physical cores, but threading differs: the i5-3470S has 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading), while the i7-10510Y has 8 threads (Hyper-Threading enabled). Cache configurations also diverge. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i5-3470S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-10510Y has 8 MB of shared L3. The i7's larger cache and extra threads partially compensate for its lower base clock in multi-threaded scenarios.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-3470S uses Intel HD 2500, while the i7-10510Y uses UHD Graphics, which is a newer generation with better media capabilities. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the i5-3470S specifies dual-channel memory, while the i7-10510Y's memory bus configuration is not listed. The i5-3470S has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-10510Y's PCIe configuration is not specified in the data. The i5-3470S was released on 2012-05-31, and the i7-10510Y on 2019-08-20, a gap of over seven years. The i7-10510Y is listed as an active production part, while the i5-3470S has no production status given. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance in the head-to-head data?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S wins all multi-core benchmarks. It scores 3711 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 3173 for the i7-10510Y, a 17% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-3470S scores 1558 versus 1332, also 17% ahead.

Q: Does the i7-10510Y have any performance advantage over the i5-3470S?

A: No. In all five recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the i5-3470S wins. The i7-10510Y does have a higher boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 3.60 GHz) and more threads (8 versus 4), but these do not translate into a benchmark win in the data provided.

Q: What is the main advantage of the i7-10510Y over the i5-3470S?

A: Power efficiency. The i7-10510Y has a 9W TDP compared to the i5-3470S's 65W TDP. This makes the i7-10510Y suitable for mobile devices, while the i5-3470S is a desktop part. The i7-10510Y also has 8 MB of L3 cache versus 6 MB, which may help in some workloads.

Q: Are these CPUs in the same performance tier overall?

A: Yes. The i5-3470S has an average benchmark score of 1095, and the i7-10510Y has 1092, a difference of only 0.3%. Both sit at the 30th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Their nearest rivals are similar, with both being compared against Intel Core i7-4600M and Intel Core i7-4610M.

Q: Which CPU is better for a desktop build?

A: The i5-3470S is the clear choice. It uses Intel Socket 1155, has a 65W TDP appropriate for desktop cooling, and outperforms the i7-10510Y in every benchmark. The i7-10510Y uses Intel BGA 1440, which is a soldered mobile socket not meant for desktop use.

Q: Which CPU has a newer integrated graphics solution?

A: The i7-10510Y has UHD Graphics, while the i5-3470S has Intel HD 2500. The i7-10510Y's iGPU is from a newer generation, though no specific performance numbers are given in the data.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3470S | Intel Core i7-10510Y |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.90 GHz | 1200.00 MHz (1.20 GHz) |

| Boost clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 9W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Comet Lake |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Comet Lake-Y |

| Process node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die size | 133 mm² | Not listed |

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Not listed |

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

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 2500 | UHD Graphics |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production status | Not listed | Active |

| Release date | 2012-05-31 | 2019-08-20 |

| Generation | Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) | Core i7 (Comet Lake-Y) |

| Part number | SR0TA | Not listed |

The two chips share the same core count (4), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), memory type (DDR3), ECC support (none), manufacturer (Intel), and locked multiplier. All other listed specifications differ.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-3470S dominates every recorded benchmark, with a consistent margin of roughly 17%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 373 versus 319, a 16.9% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows the same pattern: 1558 versus 1332, a 17% gap. The most pronounced difference is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i5-3470S scores 220 against the i7-10510Y's 187, a 17.6% advantage. In Cinebench R23, the i5-3470S wins both multi-core (3711 versus 3173, 17% ahead) and single-core (524 versus 447, 17.2% ahead).

These margins are remarkably consistent, suggesting the i5-3470S has a fundamental throughput advantage that scales across both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. Even though the i7-10510Y has twice the threads and a higher boost clock, it cannot overcome the i5-3470S's higher sustained performance. The i7-10510Y's 1.20 GHz base clock is far below the i5-3470S's 2.90 GHz, and despite a 4.50 GHz boost capability, it appears to throttle or fail to sustain those frequencies under load, as evidenced by its lower scores. The i5-3470S's 65W power budget allows it to maintain high clocks continuously, whereas the 9W i7-10510Y must aggressively limit power draw.

In aggregate, the i5-3470S has an average benchmark score of 1095, and the i7-10510Y has 1092, making them statistically equivalent in the database's overall ranking. This is surprising given the i5's sweep of the head-to-head tests, but the average scores include a broader set of benchmarks (including Geekbench results for the i5, which are 1726 multi-core and 599 single-core) that are not available for the i7. The i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2670QM (1096, -0.1% delta), Intel Core i7-4610M (1094, 0.1% delta), and Intel Core i7-2710QE (1096, -0.1% delta). The i7-10510Y's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-4600M (1093, -0.1% delta), Intel Core i5-3475S (1091, 0.1% delta), and Intel Pentium Gold G5400 (1091, 0.1% delta). Both chips cluster tightly with these competitors, confirming their shared performance class.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: if raw performance is the only criterion, the Intel Core i5-3470S is the superior processor. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks with margins between 16.9% and 17.6%, offers more consistent sustained clock speeds, and is a desktop part with a standard socket that can be paired with capable cooling. Its 4-core, 4-thread configuration is adequate for most productivity tasks, and its 65W TDP means it can run at full speed indefinitely without thermal throttling. For a desktop user who has access to an LGA 1155 motherboard, the i5-3470S is the clear pick.

The Intel Core i7-10510Y is not a competitor in performance, but it is a different class of product. Its 9W TDP is a 7x reduction from the i5-3470S, enabling fanless designs in thin-and-light laptops. Its 8 threads and 8 MB of L3 cache give it better multi-threading efficiency per watt, and its 4.50 GHz boost clock allows for snappy short-burst performance. For a mobile user who needs a full Windows experience without a cooling fan, the i7-10510Y is the only sensible choice — the i5-3470S cannot be installed in such a device, and its power draw would be unacceptable in a portable form factor.

The choice comes down to platform and power. A desktop builder or someone upgrading an older LGA 1155 system should choose the i5-3470S for its consistent performance lead. A mobile user or someone building a silent, low-power system must choose the i7-10510Y, accepting its performance deficit in exchange for extreme efficiency. The aggregate benchmark scores (1095 versus 1092) suggest that in mixed workloads, the two are nearly interchangeable, but the head-to-head results show that whenever performance is measured directly, the desktop i5 wins. There is no scenario in the data where the i7-10510Y outperforms the i5-3470S, so the decision is purely about form factor and power budget, not capability.