Intel Core i5-8279U vs Intel Core i7-10810U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-10810U and Intel Core i5-8279U are both end-of-life mobile processors from Intel, yet they represent different design philosophies within the same 14 nm manufacturing process. The i7-10810U is a six-core Comet Lake part with a low 1.10 GHz base clock and a 4.90 GHz boost, while the i5-8279U is a four-core Coffee Lake chip with a higher 2.40 GHz base clock, a 4.10 GHz boost, and a higher 28 W TDP. Benchmark data from Cinebench reveals a consistent pattern: the i7-10810U wins every single head-to-head test, yet the two chips share an identical 44th percentile ranking among all CPUs. This suggests that the performance gap, while real, is narrow enough that other factors like the i5's superior integrated graphics or the i7's core count will determine which processor better suits a specific workload.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous in raw compute performance: the Intel Core i7-10810U wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i5-8279U. These victories span both multi-core and single-core tests across three generations of Cinebench (R15, R20, and R23). The smallest margin is 7.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the largest is 8.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core. For users running CPU-intensive tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation, the i7-10810U is the clear choice based on this data.

However, the i5-8279U carves out a niche in areas not covered by the Cinebench suite. It features Iris Pro Plus 655 integrated graphics, which is a more capable GPU solution compared to the i7-10810U's UHD Graphics. For light gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads where a discrete graphics card is unavailable, the i5-8279U likely offers better visual performance, though the benchmark pack does not include graphics scores to quantify this. Additionally, the i5-8279U has a higher base clock (2.40 GHz vs 1.10 GHz), which could translate to snappier responsiveness in short, lightly-threaded bursts where the CPU does not need to ramp up to boost frequencies. The i5 also lists a memory bandwidth figure of 34.1 GB/s, whereas the i7's memory bandwidth is not specified, suggesting the i5 may have an edge in memory-heavy tasks.

The i7-10810U wins decisively on multi-core throughput, with its six cores and twelve threads providing an 8.2% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core (686 vs 634) and an 8.3% edge in Cinebench R23 multi-core (6816 vs 6294). This advantage is directly attributable to its higher core count. Yet the i5-8279U counters with a lower average benchmark score of 1987 vs 1971 for the i7, though both land in the same 44th percentile. This implies that the i5's performance is more consistent across a broader range of workloads, possibly due to its higher base frequency and mature Coffee Lake architecture.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U is faster in every single-core benchmark. It scores 96 vs 89 in Cinebench R15 single-core (7.9% advantage), 404 vs 372 in Cinebench R20 single-core (8.6% advantage), and 962 vs 888 in Cinebench R23 single-core (8.3% advantage). Despite the i5-8279U's higher base clock, the i7's superior boost clock of 4.90 GHz appears to give it the edge.

Q: How do the multi-core scores compare?

A: The i7-10810U wins all multi-core tests by roughly 8%. Specifically, it leads 686 vs 634 in Cinebench R15 multi-core (8.2%), 2862 vs 2643 in Cinebench R20 multi-core (8.3%), and 6816 vs 6294 in Cinebench R23 multi-core (8.3%). The i7's six cores and twelve threads outperform the i5's four cores and eight threads, though the margin is modest.

Q: Do the two CPUs have the same overall performance ranking?

A: Yes, both processors have an identical percentile ranking of 44 among all CPUs. However, their average benchmark scores differ slightly: the i5-8279U averages 1987, while the i7-10810U averages 1971. This places the i5 marginally ahead in overall average, even though it loses every individual Cinebench head-to-head.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-8279U features Iris Pro Plus 655 integrated graphics, which is a more advanced GPU solution than the UHD Graphics found in the Intel Core i7-10810U. The benchmark data does not include graphics scores, but the specification difference suggests the i5 is better suited for tasks relying on integrated graphics.

Q: What is the difference in memory support?

A: The i7-10810U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i5-8279U supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i5 also has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i7's bandwidth is not specified in the data.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i7-10810U and the Intel Core i5-8279U have their multiplier locked, meaning they cannot be overclocked by the user. Both are mobile processors with end-of-life production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data tells a consistent story of i7-10810U dominance, but the margins are worth scrutinizing. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 686 against the i5's 634, a delta of 8.2%. This is the smallest multi-core gap of the three Cinebench versions tested. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i7 posts 2862 vs 2643, widening the margin to 8.3%. The trend continues in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7's 6816 beats the i5's 6294 by 8.3%. The consistency of these margins—hovering around 8%—suggests the performance advantage scales uniformly with workload intensity, likely due to the i7's two additional cores.

Single-core results follow a similar pattern but with slightly more variance. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7's 96 edges out the i5's 89 by 7.9%. The gap grows to 8.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i7 scores 404 vs 372—this is the largest delta in the entire comparison. Cinebench R23 single-core settles at 8.3%, with the i7 at 962 and the i5 at 888. The i7's boost clock of 4.90 GHz compared to the i5's 4.10 GHz likely explains its single-core superiority, despite the i5's higher base frequency. Notably, the i5-8279U has additional Geekbench scores in its benchmark list (3764 multi-core, 1209 single-core), but the head-to-head table does not include Geekbench comparisons, so the i7's performance in that test cannot be assessed from this data.

The overall wins tally is lopsided: the i7-10810U wins 6 out of 6 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-8279U wins none. Yet the average benchmark score tells a different story. The i5's average of 1987 is slightly higher than the i7's 1971, a difference of 0.8%. This discrepancy arises because the average includes a broader set of tests beyond Cinebench, and the i5's extra Geekbench scores—which are relatively lower (1209 single-core)—may pull its average down, while the i7's average is computed from only Cinebench scores. The i7's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 (scoring 1973, a -0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X (1968, +0.1%), placing it in a tight cluster of mid-range performers. The i5's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B (1986, +0.1%) and the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 (1989, -0.1%), occupy a similarly narrow band, reinforcing that these two Intel mobile chips are closely matched overall.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i7-10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-8279U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ dramatically: the i7 runs at 1.10 GHz, while the i5 runs at 2.40 GHz. Boost clocks also favor the i7, with 4.90 GHz versus 4.10 GHz for the i5. The TDP (thermal design power) is higher for the i5 at 28 W, compared to 25 W for the i7, which is counterintuitive given the i5's lower core count. Sockets are incompatible: the i7 uses Intel BGA 1440, while the i5 uses Intel BGA 1526.

Cache configurations highlight the i7's advantage: it has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, double the i5's 6 MB. Both share the same L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) cache sizes. Memory support differs, with the i7 supporting DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5 supports only DDR4. The i5 has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, a figure absent for the i7. PCIe connectivity is also distinct: the i7 offers Gen 3 (with no lane count specified), while the i5 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ, with the i7 featuring UHD Graphics and the i5 featuring Iris Pro Plus 655. The i5 also has a listed transistor count of 2,300 million and a die size of 126 mm²; these fields are null for the i7. The i5 carries a part number (SREZ0) and a launch MSRP of $320, while the i7 has neither. Release dates place the i7 in April 2020 and the i5 in April 2019.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, these chips belong to different Intel generations. The i7-10810U uses the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-U codename, and falls under the Core i7 (Comet Lake-U) generation. The i5-8279U uses the Coffee Lake architecture, with the Coffee Lake-U codename, and belongs to the Core i5 (Coffee Lake-U) generation. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and fabricated by Intel's foundry, so the underlying manufacturing technology is identical. The key architectural divergence lies in core count and cache hierarchy: the i7's Comet Lake design scales to six cores with 12 MB of L3 cache, while the i5's Coffee Lake design is limited to four cores with 6 MB of L3 cache.

The i7's lower base clock (1.10 GHz) suggests a more aggressive power management strategy, relying heavily on turbo boost to reach its 4.90 GHz maximum. In contrast, the i5's higher base clock (2.40 GHz) indicates a design that maintains higher sustained frequencies at its higher 28 W TDP. The i5's larger die size (126 mm²) and transistor count (2,300 million) are documented, while the i7's are not, making direct architectural comparisons of die area impossible. The i5's Iris Pro Plus 655 integrated graphics is a more powerful GPU component than the i7's UHD Graphics, a significant feature difference for systems without discrete GPUs. The i5's dedicated 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus the i7's unspecified PCIe Gen 3 support also hints at different platform integration strategies. Both processors are locked (no unlocked multiplier), target the mobile market segment, and are end-of-life products.

The Verdict

For users prioritizing raw CPU compute performance, the Intel Core i7-10810U is the definitive choice. It wins all six Cinebench head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 7.9% to 8.6%. Its six cores and twelve threads provide a clear multi-core advantage (6816 vs 6294 in Cinebench R23), while its 4.90 GHz boost clock ensures single-core superiority (962 vs 888 in Cinebench R23). This processor suits workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development where every percentage point of CPU throughput matters. The identical 44th percentile ranking for both chips, however, tempers this victory—the i7 is not dramatically faster, just consistently ahead.

The Intel Core i5-8279U, despite losing every Cinebench comparison, remains compelling for specific scenarios. Its Iris Pro Plus 655 integrated graphics is a superior GPU solution compared to the i7's UHD Graphics, making it the better option for systems relying solely on integrated graphics. Its higher base clock of 2.40 GHz may offer better responsiveness in short-burst tasks, and its documented 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth suggests stronger memory throughput, though the i7's bandwidth is unspecified. The i5's higher average benchmark score (1987 vs 1971) also indicates that its overall performance profile is balanced, even if it loses the specific Cinebench tests. Additionally, the i5 has a launch MSRP of $320, a detail not available for the i7, though this should not be interpreted as a value statement. Ultimately, the i7-10810U is the pick for compute-heavy tasks, while the i5-8279U holds appeal for graphics-dependent or memory-sensitive applications where its feature set compensates for lower CPU scores.