Intel Core i5-8350U vs Intel Core i7-10510U Comparison

Intel Core i5-8350U and Intel Core i7-10510U are both 14 nm mobile processors with 4 cores and 8 threads, but the recorded benchmarks show a clear performance hierarchy. The i7-10510U wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with the i5-8350U taking only a single victory in extended instructions. The i7-10510U also holds advantages in clock speeds, cache size, and memory support, making it the stronger choice for sustained workloads despite both CPUs sharing the same 65th percentile ranking among all processors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10510U boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-8350U tops out at 3.60 GHz. This 1.30 GHz difference directly contributes to the i7's single-thread dominance in the benchmark data.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the i7-10510U?

A: The i7-10510U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 6 MB on the i5-8350U. This 2 MB advantage helps the newer processor in multi-threaded workloads that benefit from larger shared cache pools.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two CPUs?

A: The i5-8350U records an average benchmark score of 8998, while the i7-10510U scores 8580. Despite the i7 winning nearly every individual test, the i5's average is higher by 418 points, reflecting how the scoring aggregates across different workload types.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR3 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-10510U lists DDR3 alongside DDR4 in its memory support. The i5-8350U supports DDR4 exclusively, limiting its compatibility with older memory platforms.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, both the i5-8350U and i7-10510U have locked multipliers. Neither processor allows multiplier-based overclocking, so performance is bound to their factory clock specifications.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i5-8350U is listed as active in production, while the i7-10510U is marked as end-of-life. This suggests the i5-8350U may still see new system integration, whereas the i7-10510U is being phased out of the market.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a single conclusion: choose the Intel Core i7-10510U for nearly any performance-driven task. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 0.4% to 13.6%. The i5-8350U only wins in PassMark extended instructions, where it edges ahead by 0.4%. For users prioritizing raw compute speed, the i7-10510U delivers higher scores in Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and every PassMark workload except that single extended instructions test.

The i5-8350U remains a viable option only for those specifically targeting its higher average benchmark score or its active production status. Its 8998 average versus the i7's 8580 is notable, but this aggregate metric hides the fact that the i7 wins the vast majority of individual tests. The i5-8350U also matches the i7 in the 65th percentile ranking across all CPUs, so neither processor represents a dramatic outlier in overall performance.

For mobile users who need maximum single-thread responsiveness, the i7-10510U is the clear pick. Its 4.90 GHz boost clock and 2237 PassMark single-thread score put it 10.8% ahead of the i5-8350U's 1996 score. For those who value multi-core throughput, the i7 again leads, posting a 6450 PassMark multithread score versus 6129 for the i5. The only scenario where the i5-8350U makes sense is if the system must remain in active production or if the average score metric is the deciding factor, as the i5 holds a 4.9% advantage there.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-10510U dominates the Cinebench suite across all versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 542 versus 521 for the i5, a 3.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows 76 against 73, also a 3.9% margin. Moving to R20, the i7 posts 2262 multi-core and 319 single-core, compared to 2172 and 306 for the i5, yielding 4% and 4.1% advantages respectively. The R23 results repeat the pattern: 5388 versus 5173 in multi-core (4% lead) and 760 versus 730 in single-core (3.9% lead).

PassMark results reinforce the i7's superiority with more varied margins. The largest delta appears in find prime numbers, where the i7 scores 22 against 19, a 13.6% advantage. Single-thread performance shows a 10.8% gap, with the i7 at 2237 and the i5 at 1996. Physics tests also favor the i7 significantly, 472 versus 428, a 9.3% difference. Integer math sees the i7 at 23441 versus 22244, a 5.1% lead, while floating-point math shows 14080 against 13422, a 4.7% edge.

The i5-8350U's lone win comes in extended instructions, where it scores 5243 versus 5224 for the i7. This 0.4% margin is minimal and does not offset the i7's broader dominance. Even in data compression, where the i7 wins 82606 to 79781, the 3.4% delta shows consistent superiority. Data encryption follows with 2151 against 2075, a 3.5% lead. Random string sorting completes the sweep for the i7, 11068 to 10651, a 3.8% margin.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key specifications. The i5-8350U has a base clock of 1700 MHz, while the i7-10510U starts at 1800 MHz. Boost clocks differ more dramatically: 3.60 GHz for the i5 versus 4.90 GHz for the i7. Thermal design power also varies, with the i5 rated at 15 W and the i7 at 25 W, indicating the i7 consumes more power under load.

Socket compatibility separates the pair entirely. The i5-8350U uses Intel BGA 1356, while the i7-10510U fits Intel BGA 1440. These sockets are not interchangeable, meaning motherboard selection is fixed by processor choice. The i5-8350U supports only DDR4 memory, whereas the i7-10510U adds DDR3 support. L3 cache capacity differs as well: 6 MB shared on the i5 versus 8 MB shared on the i7.

The integrated graphics also carry different branding. The i5-8350U features UHD 620, while the i7-10510U is listed simply as UHD Graphics. Production status splits the pair, with the i5 active and the i7 end-of-life. Release dates show a two-year gap, with the i5 launching in 2017 and the i7 in 2019. The i5-8350U has a die size of 123 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i7.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they belong to different architectural families. The i5-8350U uses Kaby Lake architecture with the Kaby Lake-R codename, while the i7-10510U employs Comet Lake architecture with the Comet Lake-U codename. This generational shift explains the clock speed and cache improvements seen in the i7.

Core and thread counts remain identical at 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache hierarchy is also consistent per core: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2. The key architectural difference lies in shared L3 cache, where the i7's 8 MB doubles the effective capacity compared to the i5's 6 MB. This larger cache, combined with the higher boost clock, enables the i7's better performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

The i7-10510U also expands memory compatibility to include both DDR3 and DDR4, whereas the i5-8350U is limited to DDR4. This architectural flexibility gives the i7 broader system integration options. Both processors lack ECC memory support and have locked multipliers, so overclocking is not possible on either. The i7's higher 25 W TDP, versus 15 W for the i5, reflects its more aggressive clocking strategy and the associated thermal requirements.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-10510U is the winner in essentially every measurable workload category. It leads in all Cinebench tests, all PassMark tests except extended instructions, and delivers higher single-thread and multithread scores. The 10.8% single-thread advantage makes it the better choice for applications that rely on responsive, lightly-threaded performance, such as office productivity or web browsing. The 9.3% physics score lead and 5% multithread advantage also position it well for light content creation or data processing tasks.

The Intel Core i5-8350U wins only in PassMark extended instructions, where its 5243 score edges the i7's 5224. This narrow 0.4% margin suggests a marginal advantage in workloads that leverage specialized instruction sets, but the practical impact is minimal. The i5 also posts a higher average benchmark score of 8998 versus 8580, which could matter if the aggregate metric is the primary selection criterion. Additionally, the i5 remains in active production, making it easier to source for new designs compared to the i7's end-of-life status.

For most users, the data supports choosing the i7-10510U without hesitation. Its consistent wins across 16 of 17 benchmarks, including all major rendering and math tests, make it the superior processor for general mobile computing. The i5-8350U is only relevant for niche scenarios involving extended instruction workloads or when the higher average score and active production status take precedence over individual benchmark results.