Intel Core i7-10510U vs Intel Core i7-8550U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-10510U is the clear winner over the Intel Core i7-8550U in every single benchmark recorded in the data, with a sweep of 17 wins to 0. The 10510U leads by margins ranging from 4.7% to 12.9% across all tests, driven by its higher boost clock and a newer architecture. While both chips share the same core and thread counts, the 10510U’s superior single-threaded performance and consistently higher throughput in integer, floating-point, and encryption workloads make it the definitive choice for mobile users seeking better performance without changing the core configuration.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-10510U wins every multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5388 versus the 8550U’s 4926, a 9.4% advantage. In PassMark multi-thread, it leads 6450 to 5835, a 10.5% difference.

Q: How much better is the single-core performance of the 10510U?

A: The 10510U leads by 10.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core (76 vs 69) and by 9.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core (760 vs 695). In PassMark single-thread, the gap is 10.7%, with scores of 2237 versus 2021.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the 8550U wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the 10510U wins all 17 recorded tests. The only tie is in PassMark find prime numbers, where both score 22, and even that is recorded as a win for the 10510U due to a 0% delta.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest margin is 12.9% in PassMark integer math, where the 10510U scores 23441 against the 8550U’s 20770. The second-largest is 12.4% in PassMark floating point math (14080 vs 12523).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread configuration?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share the same 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 8 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The 10510U has an average benchmark score of 8580, while the 8550U averages 8407. The 10510U sits at the 65th percentile of all CPUs, slightly above the 8550U’s 64th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The 10510U is built on Comet Lake architecture, specifically Comet Lake-U, while the 8550U uses Kaby Lake-R architecture. Both are fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process, but the newer Comet Lake design is paired with a significantly higher boost clock: 4.90 GHz versus 4.00 GHz on the 8550U. This 0.90 GHz difference is the primary driver of the performance gap, as base clocks are identical at 1800.00 MHz.

The thermal design power (TDP) also differs, with the 10510U rated at 25 W compared to the 8550U’s 15 W. This higher TDP allows the 10510U to sustain higher clocks under load, explaining its consistent wins in multi-threaded tests. The 10510U uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the 8550U uses the older Intel BGA 1356 socket, meaning they are not interchangeable in motherboards.

Memory support diverges as well: the 10510U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the 8550U only supports DDR4. Integrated graphics differ slightly, with the 10510U featuring UHD Graphics and the 8550U featuring UHD 620. The 8550U has a known die size of 123 mm², while the 10510U’s die size is not listed. Production status also differs: the 10510U is end-of-life, while the 8550U remains active.

The Verdict

The data unequivocally favors the Intel Core i7-10510U. With a 17-0 win record in head-to-head benchmarks, there is no workload category where the 8550U outperforms its successor. The smallest advantage is 4.7% in PassMark physics, while the largest is 12.9% in integer math. For any user prioritizing raw performance, the 10510U is the superior part.

The 8550U’s only advantages are its lower TDP (15 W vs 25 W) and its active production status. The lower TDP may appeal to system builders targeting fanless or ultra-low-power designs, but the performance cost is steep: the 8550U trails by double digits in most PassMark tests. The 10510U’s end-of-life status means it may be harder to source new, but the benchmark data shows no reason to choose the 8550U on performance grounds.

For users upgrading from an 8550U, the 10510U offers a meaningful boost in every measured metric. For those choosing between the two in a new system, the 10510U is the clear pick unless the 15 W TDP of the 8550U is a hard requirement.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications, though core count, thread count, and cache sizes are identical. The 10510U has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.00 GHz on the 8550U, a 22.5% higher ceiling. TDP is 25 W versus 15 W, reflecting the 10510U’s higher power envelope. The socket changes from Intel BGA 1356 on the 8550U to Intel BGA 1440 on the 10510U.

Architecture and codename differ: Comet Lake and Comet Lake-U for the 10510U, versus Kaby Lake and Kaby Lake-R for the 8550U. The 10510U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the 8550U is limited to DDR4. Integrated graphics are listed as UHD Graphics for the 10510U and UHD 620 for the 8550U. The 8550U has a documented die size of 123 mm², while the 10510U’s die size is not provided. Production status also differs: end-of-life for the 10510U, active for the 8550U. The 8550U has a part number (SR3LC), while the 10510U’s part number is not listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The 10510U dominates across all Cinebench tests, with margins consistently around 9-10%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 542 versus 496, a 9.3% lead. Single-core R15 shows 76 versus 69, a 10.1% gap. R20 multi-core delivers 2262 versus 2068 (9.4%), and R20 single-core shows 319 versus 291 (9.6%). R23 multi-core is 5388 versus 4926 (9.4%), with single-core at 760 versus 695 (9.4%). These results indicate that the 10510U’s architectural improvements benefit both single- and multi-threaded workloads equally.

PassMark results show larger margins, driven by the higher boost clock. Data compression shows the biggest absolute gap: 82606 versus 74223, an 11.3% improvement. Encryption is 2151 versus 1944, a 10.6% lead. Extended instructions are 5224 versus 4665, a 12% advantage. Floating point math is 14080 versus 12523, a 12.4% gap, while integer math is 23441 versus 20770, the largest margin at 12.9%. Multithread scores are 6450 versus 5835 (10.5%), and physics is 472 versus 451, the smallest margin at 4.7%. Random string sorting shows 11068 versus 9902, an 11.8% lead. Single-thread tests show 2237 versus 2021, a 10.7% advantage. The only tie is in find prime numbers, where both score 22.

Where Each One Wins

The 10510U wins in every performance category. For compute-heavy tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific simulations, the Cinebench multi-core results (9.3-9.4% lead) show a consistent advantage. For everyday responsiveness and single-threaded applications like web browsing or office work, the single-core scores (9.4-10.1% lead) indicate a noticeable improvement.

In data-heavy workloads, the 10510U shines even brighter. Its 11.3% lead in compression and 10.6% lead in encryption make it ideal for database work, file archiving, and secure communications. The 12% advantage in extended instructions and 12.9% in integer math benefit code compilation and financial modeling. Floating point math, crucial for graphics and scientific computing, is 12.4% faster.

The 8550U has no benchmark wins to claim. Its only distinction is a lower TDP of 15 W, which could make it suitable for passively cooled devices or systems where power consumption is paramount. However, the data shows that even in the physics test — a proxy for gaming and simulation physics — the 8550U trails by 4.7%, the smallest margin but still a loss. For any user who values performance, the 10510U is the only rational choice based on the benchmark evidence.