Intel Core i7-10510U vs Intel Core i7-8650U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear overall picture: the Intel Core i7-10510U wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-8650U manages only 2 wins, both of which are ties. The margins are consistent and often substantial, indicating a genuine performance advantage rather than a statistical anomaly.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the i7-10510U leads across every rendering test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 542 against 529 for the i7-8650U, a 2.4% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows 76 versus 74, a 2.6% edge. Moving to R20, the i7-10510U posts 2262 multicore and 319 single-core, while the i7-8650U records 2206 and 311, respectively, both translating to a 2.5% lead. The R23 results repeat the pattern: 5388 versus 5253 in multicore and 760 versus 741 in single-core, again a 2.5% difference each time.

The Passmark suite reveals where the i7-10510U pulls further ahead. The largest single delta is in integer math, where the i7-10510U scores 23441 against 22007 for the i7-8650U, a 6.1% improvement. Floating-point math shows a 5.5% gap, with scores of 14080 and 13299. Random string sorting follows at 5.3% (11068 versus 10485), and single-thread performance shows a 6% delta in both Passmark single-thread tests (2237 versus 2103). Data compression is 4.4% better (82606 versus 78936), data encryption 3.9% better (2151 versus 2067), and extended instructions 3.5% better (5224 versus 5042). The multithread test records a 4% advantage (6450 versus 6193).

The two ties belong to the i7-8650U. In Passmark find prime numbers, both CPUs score 22, and in Passmark physics, both score 472. These are the only instances where the older chip matches the newer one, and they are exact equal scores rather than wins by margin. The data shows no scenario where the i7-8650U outperforms the i7-10510U by any positive margin.

The average benchmark score in the database places the i7-8650U at 8932, while the i7-10510U sits at 8580. This is an interesting inversion, as the i7-8650U actually has a higher average score despite losing most head-to-head tests. This occurs because the i7-8650U's nearest rivals include higher-scoring parts like the Xeon Gold 6330 (8939, a 0.1% delta), whereas the i7-10510U's nearest rivals are closer in performance, such as the Core i5-8250U (8577, a 0% delta). Both CPUs occupy the 65th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they sit at the same relative position in the overall distribution despite their differing raw averages.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations, which explains much of the performance gap. The Intel Core i7-8650U uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 14 nm process node. It has a die size of 123 mm². The Intel Core i7-10510U uses the Comet Lake architecture, specifically Comet Lake-U, also on the 14 nm process, but the database does not record a die size for it.

Both chips share the same core and thread configuration: 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache hierarchies are identical as well, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The integrated graphics differ in name: the i7-8650U carries UHD 620, while the i7-10510U is listed simply as UHD Graphics. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The clock speeds tell a more nuanced story. The i7-8650U has a higher base clock at 1900 MHz, compared to 1800 MHz for the i7-10510U. However, the i7-10510U has a significantly higher boost clock at 4.90 GHz versus 4.20 GHz for the i7-8650U. This 0.70 GHz boost advantage likely explains the consistent single-core and multithreaded wins for the i7-10510U, as the newer chip can sustain higher peak frequencies under load.

Thermal design power also differs, with the i7-8650U rated at 15 W and the i7-10510U at 25 W. The higher TDP for the i7-10510U suggests it is designed to draw more power and dissipate more heat, which aligns with its higher boost clock and better performance. The sockets are different as well: the i7-8650U uses Intel BGA 1356, while the i7-10510U uses Intel BGA 1440, meaning they are not physically interchangeable in motherboards.

Memory support differs modestly. The i7-8650U supports DDR4 only, while the i7-10510U supports both DDR3 and DDR4. This gives the newer chip more flexibility in system design, particularly for older platforms that still rely on DDR3.

Release dates are two years apart: the i7-8650U launched in August 2017, and the i7-10510U launched in August 2019. Production status also differs, with the i7-8650U listed as active and the i7-10510U as end-of-life. The part number for the i7-8650U is SR3L8, while no part number is recorded for the i7-10510U.

Where Each One Wins

The data splits cleanly into two categories: the i7-10510U wins in nearly every computational workload, while the i7-8650U only ties in two specific tests. For users prioritizing raw performance in rendering, mathematical operations, compression, encryption, and general multithreaded tasks, the i7-10510U is the clear choice. The 6.1% lead in integer math and 5.5% lead in floating-point math are the most pronounced advantages, suggesting that CPU-intensive calculations benefit the most from the newer architecture's higher boost clock.

The i7-8650U's wins are limited to Passmark find prime numbers and Passmark physics, where both chips score identical results of 22 and 472, respectively. These ties indicate that certain workloads, particularly those that are not heavily dependent on clock speed or architectural efficiency, see no benefit from the newer chip. For users who primarily run such applications, there is no performance reason to choose one over the other based on these benchmarks.

The single-thread results deserve special attention. The i7-10510U leads by 6% in both Passmark single-thread tests and by 2.5% to 2.6% in Cinebench single-core tests. This consistency across different benchmark suites confirms that the i7-10510U's higher boost clock translates into real-world single-threaded application gains. For software that relies on one or two cores, such as many office applications, web browsers, and older games, the i7-10510U offers a measurable advantage.

Multithreaded performance follows a similar pattern. The Cinebench multicore tests show a 2.4% to 2.5% lead for the i7-10510U, while the Passmark multithread test shows a 4% lead. The data compression test, which often scales well with multiple threads, shows a 4.4% advantage. These results indicate that the i7-10510U is better suited for content creation, video encoding, and other parallel workloads, despite both chips having the same core and thread counts.

The i7-8650U does have one structural advantage: its lower 15 W TDP. This makes it more suitable for fanless or ultra-thin designs where power consumption and heat generation are critical constraints. The i7-10510U's 25 W TDP likely requires more robust cooling, which may limit its use in the thinnest laptops.

The Verdict

The recorded data points decisively toward the Intel Core i7-10510U as the superior performer. With 15 wins out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, including every Cinebench test and nearly every Passmark test, the newer chip demonstrates a consistent and often substantial advantage. The largest gaps, 6.1% in integer math and 6% in single-thread performance, are significant enough to affect real-world responsiveness in CPU-bound tasks.

Users should choose the i7-8650U only if they specifically need a lower TDP of 15 W, which may be essential for ultra-portable designs or systems with limited cooling capacity. The i7-8650U also has the advantage of being listed as active in production, whereas the i7-10510U is end-of-life, which could matter for long-term availability in new systems. However, on pure benchmark performance, the i7-10510U wins in every meaningful category.

The i7-10510U is the better choice for users who run demanding applications such as video editors, 3D renderers, data analysts, or developers compiling code. The 4% to 6% advantages in multithreaded and math-heavy workloads translate directly into reduced processing time. For single-threaded tasks, the 2.5% to 6% lead means snappier application response and faster load times.

The i7-8650U remains a capable processor for general productivity, web browsing, and office tasks, especially in systems where its 15 W TDP is a requirement. Its ties in prime number finding and physics tests show that some workloads see no difference between the two. But for any scenario where performance is the primary criterion, the benchmark data unambiguously favors the i7-10510U.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10510U has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to 4.20 GHz for the Intel Core i7-8650U.

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

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two CPUs?

A: The largest gap is in Passmark integer math, where the i7-10510U scores 23441 versus 22007 for the i7-8650U, a 6.1% difference.

Q: Are there any tests where the i7-8650U wins?

A: The i7-8650U wins two tests, both by tie: Passmark find prime numbers (22 versus 22) and Passmark physics (472 versus 472).

Q: Do the two CPUs use the same socket?

A: No, the i7-8650U uses Intel BGA 1356, while the i7-10510U uses Intel BGA 1440.

Q: Which CPU has a lower TDP?

A: The i7-8650U has a TDP of 15 W, which is lower than the 25 W TDP of the i7-10510U.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8650U | Intel Core i7-10510U |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 1900.00 MHz | 1800.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1356 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Comet Lake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake-R | Comet Lake-U |

| Generation | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) | Core i7 (Comet Lake-U) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | Not recorded |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD 620 | UHD Graphics |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | August 2017 | August 2019 |

| Part Number | SR3L8 | Not recorded |