Intel Core i5-8365U vs Intel Core i7-10510U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-10510U is the unequivocal winner in this comparison, outperforming the Intel Core i5-8365U in every single benchmark recorded. The data is decisive: the i7-10510U won all 17 head-to-head tests, with a typical advantage of 6-7% across most workloads. Both processors sit at the 65th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar performance tier, but the i7-10510U consistently edges ahead due to its higher clock speeds and larger cache. Users seeking maximum performance in a thin-and-light laptop should choose the i7-10510U, while the i5-8365U remains a competent alternative for those prioritizing a lower launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data leaves no room for ambiguity: the Intel Core i7-10510U is the superior processor in every measurable way. Its average benchmark score of 8580 is 1.5% higher than the i5-8365U's average of 8708, a gap that, while modest in aggregate, translates to consistent wins across all 17 head-to-head tests. The i7-10510U's performance advantage is most pronounced in single-threaded workloads and specialized tasks, where it leads by as much as 13.6% in the PassMark find prime numbers test. For users who demand the fastest possible response in everyday applications and light productivity work, the i7-10510U is the clear choice.

The i5-8365U, while trailing in every test, is not a slouch. It matches the i7-10510U in percentile ranking at 65th, and its nearest rival comparison shows it performing within 0.5% of the Intel Core i7-8565U and within 1% of the AMD EPYC 7601. The i5-8365U also carries a launch MSRP of $297, which may appeal to system builders or buyers looking for a slightly more economical option. However, given that the i7-10510U offers superior performance across the board with no benchmark losses, the verdict is straightforward: choose the i7-10510U unless the i5-8365U's lower launch MSRP is a deciding factor.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-10510U wins every single benchmark category, making the use-case split heavily one-sided. The largest margins come in specialized computational tasks: it leads by 13.6% in PassMark find prime numbers, 10.6% in PassMark physics, and 7.7% in PassMark data compression. These results indicate the i7-10510U is particularly strong in workloads that benefit from higher clock speeds and efficient instruction execution. Its 4.90 GHz boost clock, compared to the i5-8365U's 4.10 GHz, provides a clear advantage in bursty, single-threaded tasks where the processor can rapidly ramp up to maximum frequency.

The i5-8365U's closest performance comes in the PassMark extended instructions test, where it trails by only 2.9%. This suggests that for workloads relying on SIMD or specialized instruction sets, the gap narrows considerably. However, even here, the i7-10510U maintains its lead. For users running Cinebench rendering workloads, the i7-10510U consistently delivers 6.1-6.3% higher scores across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The data shows no scenario where the i5-8365U is preferable from a pure performance standpoint; its only potential advantage is the lower launch MSRP, which is not reflected in benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture lineage, but they come from different generations. The i5-8365U is built on the Whiskey Lake architecture with the Whiskey Lake-U codename, while the i7-10510U uses the Comet Lake architecture with the Comet Lake-U codename. Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node and feature 4 cores with 8 threads. The core configuration is identical, but the i7-10510U has a higher base clock of 1.80 GHz versus 1.60 GHz, and a significantly higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.10 GHz.

The most substantial architectural difference lies in the L3 cache. The i7-10510U features 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-8365U offers 6 MB. This 2 MB difference can meaningfully impact performance in workloads that repeatedly access large datasets. Both processors have identical L1 and L2 cache configurations at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively. The i7-10510U also has a higher TDP of 25 watts compared to the i5-8365U's 15 watts, which allows it to sustain higher clock speeds under load, though this comes at the cost of potentially higher power consumption and heat output. The socket also differs: the i5-8365U uses Intel BGA 1528, while the i7-10510U uses Intel BGA 1440.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10510U has a significantly higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to the i5-8365U's 4.10 GHz. This contributes to its consistent performance lead.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the i5-8365U and i7-10510U feature 4 cores and 8 threads. The performance difference comes from clock speeds and cache size, not core count.

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

A: The i7-10510U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-8365U has 6 MB. This 2 MB difference helps the i7 maintain an edge in data-heavy workloads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The i7-10510U has a TDP of 25 watts, while the i5-8365U has a TDP of 15 watts. The higher TDP allows the i7 to sustain higher performance but may generate more heat.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No, both the i5-8365U and i7-10510U are end-of-life products. They were released in 2019, with the i5-8365U launching in April and the i7-10510U in August.

Q: Which processor scores higher in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-10510U scores 5388 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 6.3% higher than the i5-8365U's score of 5050.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows the i7-10510U winning all 17 tests, with margins ranging from 2.9% to 13.6%. The smallest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the i7-10510U scores 5224 versus 5074 for the i5-8365U, a 2.9% advantage. This suggests that for workloads heavily utilizing extended instruction sets, the two processors perform nearly identically. The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i7-10510U scores 22 versus 19, a 13.6% lead. This test is highly sensitive to clock speed and cache performance, both of which favor the i7-10510U.

In Cinebench multi-core tests, the i7-10510U maintains a consistent 6.1-6.3% lead across all three versions: R15 (542 vs 509), R20 (2262 vs 2121), and R23 (5388 vs 5050). Single-core Cinebench results follow a similar pattern, with the i7 leading by 6.2-6.6% across R15, R20, and R23. PassMark tests show a broader spread: data compression (82606 vs 76239, 7.7% lead), floating point math (14080 vs 13110, 6.9% lead), and integer math (23441 vs 22021, 6.1% lead). The physics test shows a 10.6% advantage for the i7 (472 vs 422), while multithread scores show a 7.3% lead (6450 vs 5976). Data encryption shows a 6.7% lead (2151 vs 2006), and random string sorting shows a 7.3% lead (11068 vs 10256).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-8365U has a base clock of 1.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the i7-10510U has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The TDP differs significantly: the i5-8365U is rated at 15 watts, while the i7-10510U is rated at 25 watts. The L3 cache differs by 2 MB, with the i5-8365U offering 6 MB and the i7-10510U offering 8 MB. The socket also differs: the i5-8365U uses Intel BGA 1528, while the i7-10510U uses Intel BGA 1440.

The i5-8365U supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-10510U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, though its memory bus and bandwidth are not specified. Both processors have integrated graphics, with the i5-8365U featuring UHD Graphics 620 and the i7-10510U featuring UHD Graphics. The i5-8365U supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while PCIe support is not specified for the i7-10510U. The i5-8365U has a launch MSRP of $297, while the i7-10510U has no specified launch MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory.