Intel Core i5-4670K vs Intel Core i7-10610U Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-10610U wins all multi-core benchmarks. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5569 versus 4751 for the Core i5-4670K, a 14.7% advantage. The gap is consistent across Cinebench R15 (561 vs 478, 14.8% ahead) and R20 (2338 vs 1995, 14.7% ahead).

Q: How big is the single-core performance difference?

A: The Core i7-10610U leads by roughly 15% in every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 786 versus 670, a 14.8% margin. The R15 test shows 79 vs 67 (15.2% ahead), and R20 shows 330 vs 281 (14.8% ahead).

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. However, the Core i7-10610U supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Core i5-4670K runs 4 threads. This explains part of the multi-core performance gap.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The Core i5-4670K has a TDP of 84 watts, while the Core i7-10610U is rated at 25 watts. The mobile chip is far more power-efficient, which is typical for its BGA 1440 mobile socket versus the desktop LGA 1150 platform.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i7-10610U boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Core i5-4670K boosts to 3.80 GHz. The base clocks differ dramatically: 1800 MHz for the mobile chip versus 3400 MHz for the desktop chip, yet the mobile part still wins on sustained boost.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall benchmark standing?

A: They sit nearly identically in the database. The Core i5-4670K has a 40th percentile ranking versus all CPUs, and the Core i7-10610U ranks at the 39th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 1656 and 1611 respectively, making them close overall performers despite different strengths.

Architecture Differences

The Core i5-4670K comes from Intel's Haswell generation, built on a 22 nm process node. It is a desktop part with an Intel Socket 1150 package. The chip packs 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The unlocked multiplier is a notable feature, allowing overclocking on compatible motherboards.

The Core i7-10610U belongs to the Comet Lake generation, specifically the Comet Lake-U family, fabricated on a 14 nm node. It uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which is soldered and not upgradeable. This mobile chip has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible. Its production status is listed as end-of-life.

Memory support differs. The Haswell chip supports DDR3 only, while the Comet Lake part supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe generation is identical at Gen 3 for both.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core i5-4670K carries Intel HD 4600, while the Core i7-10610U uses UHD Graphics. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

The most striking architectural contrast is the TDP envelope. The desktop Haswell part draws 84 watts, while the mobile Comet Lake part is rated at 25 watts. This 59-watt gap reflects the different market positioning: one is built for sustained desktop performance with headroom for overclocking, the other for thin laptops where efficiency is paramount.

The boost clock strategy also differs. The Core i5-4670K has a modest 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The Core i7-10610U has a low 1800 MHz base but a much higher 4.90 GHz boost, indicating aggressive turbo behavior on a thermally constrained platform.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clean sweep for the Core i7-10610U across all six recorded comparisons. The mobile chip wins every multi-core and single-core test by a margin between 14.7% and 15.2%.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i7-10610U scores 561 against 478 for the Core i5-4670K, a 14.8% lead. The R15 single-core test shows 79 versus 67, a 15.2% advantage. These are the largest margins in the entire comparison.

Cinebench R20 results follow the same pattern. Multi-core: 2338 for the Core i7-10610U versus 1995 for the Core i5-4670K, a 14.7% gap. Single-core: 330 versus 281, also 14.8% ahead.

Cinebench R23, the most modern test in the set, confirms the trend. Multi-core: 5569 versus 4751, a 14.7% delta. Single-core: 786 versus 670, a 14.8% delta.

The consistency is remarkable. Every test lands within roughly 0.5 percentage points of the others. This suggests the performance advantage is structural rather than workload-specific. The Core i7-10610U's Hyper-Threading provides a clear multi-core benefit, but the single-core wins indicate that its higher boost clock and newer architecture also deliver tangible per-thread gains.

In the broader database, both CPUs sit near peers with similar average scores. The Core i5-4670K's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2124 (1658 average, 0.1% higher) and the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H (1653 average, 0.2% lower). The Core i7-10610U sits alongside the Intel Core i7-970 (1613, 0.1% higher) and the Xeon E3-1240L v5 (1609, 0.1% lower). These rival relationships place both chips in the same general performance tier, despite the head-to-head sweep.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-10610U outperforms the Intel Core i5-4670K in every recorded test. The mobile chip leads by approximately 15% in both single-core and multi-core workloads across three generations of Cinebench tests.

For users choosing between these two processors, the Core i7-10610U is the stronger performer in raw compute. Its Hyper-Threading support doubles thread count, and its higher boost clock delivers superior single-thread results. The 8 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB also provides a small capacity advantage.

The Core i5-4670K, however, offers an unlocked multiplier and a desktop socket. These features matter for overclocking enthusiasts who accept higher power draw in exchange for manual tuning. The 84 watt TDP provides ample thermal headroom on desktop cooling solutions, while the 25 watt mobile chip is constrained by laptop thermals.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical: 40th for the Core i5-4670K, 39th for the Core i7-10610U. Their average benchmark scores differ by only 45 points (1656 versus 1611). This means the Core i7-10610U's head-to-head wins do not translate to a dramatically higher overall standing in the database.

The verdict depends on platform requirements. If the application demands a desktop socket with overclocking, the Core i5-4670K is the only choice. If performance per watt or pure compute throughput matters more, the Core i7-10610U is clearly superior. The data shows no scenario where the Core i5-4670K wins a benchmark, but its platform flexibility remains a distinct advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Core i5-4670K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Core i7-10610U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clock rates are 3.40 GHz versus 1800 MHz. Boost clocks are 3.80 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. TDP is 84 watts versus 25 watts.

Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1150 for the desktop part, Intel BGA 1440 for the mobile part. Architectures are Haswell versus Comet Lake. Process nodes are 22 nm versus 14 nm. The die size is 177 mm² for the Haswell chip, with no recorded die size for the Comet Lake part. Transistor count is 1,400 million for the desktop chip, with no recorded count for the mobile chip.

L3 cache differs: 6 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core respectively. Memory support shows DDR3 for the desktop chip and DDR3 plus DDR4 for the mobile chip. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4600 versus UHD Graphics.

Release dates differ: June 2013 for the Core i5-4670K, April 2020 for the Core i7-10610U. The mobile chip is marked end-of-life, while the desktop chip has no production status recorded. The multiplier is unlocked on the desktop part and locked on the mobile part. The part number SR14A exists for the Core i5-4670K, with none recorded for the Core i7-10610U.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-10610U wins every benchmark category recorded. In multi-core workloads, it leads by 14.7% in Cinebench R20 and R23, and 14.8% in R15. This makes it the better choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, batch photo processing, and any parallel compute task that can use more than four threads. Its 8-thread capability gives it a structural advantage over the 4-thread Core i5-4670K.

In single-core workloads, the Core i7-10610U leads by 14.8% to 15.2%. This benefits applications with heavy per-thread demands: older games, spreadsheet calculations, script interpretation, and lightly threaded productivity tools. The higher 4.90 GHz boost clock is the primary driver.

The Core i5-4670K's advantages are not benchmark-based. Its unlocked multiplier allows manual overclocking, which can close or exceed the gap in practice when paired with adequate cooling. The desktop socket supports standard ATX motherboards with multiple expansion slots and memory DIMM slots. The 84 watt TDP means sustained loads do not require aggressive thermal management.

For mobile users, the Core i7-10610U is the clear pick. Its 25 watt TDP enables thin-and-light designs with long battery life. The end-of-life status is a caveat, but the performance data remains valid.

For desktop builders who value overclocking and upgradeability, the Core i5-4670K offers a platform the mobile chip cannot match. The LGA 1150 socket allows CPU swaps and aftermarket cooler installation. The locked BGA 1440 package of the Core i7-10610U is non-serviceable.

In summary, the Core i7-10610U wins on every measured performance metric. The Core i5-4670K wins on platform flexibility and overclocking headroom. Choose based on whether raw benchmark scores or desktop customization matters more to your use case.