Intel Core i7-10710U vs Intel Core i7-8559U Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i7-10710U wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-8559U, with six wins and zero losses across all tested workloads. The margins are strikingly uniform, hovering around 11% regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded.

Starting with multi-core performance, the i7-10710U posts a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 783 against the i7-8559U's 703, a delta of 11.4%. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap narrows slightly to 11.3%, with scores of 3265 and 2933 respectively. The most demanding multi-core test, Cinebench R23, shows the same 11.3% advantage: 7774 versus 6984. This consistency across three generations of the Cinebench suite suggests the performance advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though with marginally smaller margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-10710U scores 110 against 99, an 11.1% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 460 versus 414, again 11.1%. Cinebench R23 single-core rounds out the pattern at 1097 versus 986, with an 11.3% delta. The near-identical percentages across single- and multi-threaded tests imply the i7-10710U's advantage comes from per-core efficiency improvements rather than simply having more cores.

The i7-8559U does have one benchmark in its corner that the i7-10710U lacks: Geekbench results. The older chip posts 4293 multi-core and 1384 single-core in Geekbench, but no comparable Geekbench scores exist for the i7-10710U in the data, so a direct comparison cannot be made. This absence is notable — it means the 11% advantage seen in Cinebench might not translate identically to other benchmark suites.

In terms of overall average benchmark score, the i7-10710U reaches 2248, while the i7-8559U sits at 2225. Both chips occupy the 47th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are positioned similarly in the broader market landscape despite the head-to-head differences. The i7-10710U's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, scores 2246 with a delta of just 0.1%, while the i7-8559U's closest competitor, the Intel Core i7-5775C, matches it exactly at 2224 with a 0% delta.

# Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two mobile processors is substantial, even though both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node. The i7-10710U belongs to the Comet Lake generation, specifically the Comet Lake-U codename, while the i7-8559U is from the older Kaby Lake architecture, under the Kaby Lake-R codename. This generational gap explains much of the performance differential.

Core counts differ significantly: the i7-10710U packs 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-8559U offers only 4 cores and 8 threads. This 50% increase in core count for the newer chip is partially offset by a dramatically lower base clock — 1100 MHz versus 2700 MHz. However, the boost clocks tell a different story: the i7-10710U boosts to 4700 MHz, slightly ahead of the i7-8559U's 4500 MHz. The lower base clock on the i7-10710U likely reflects power management strategies for the additional cores, while the higher boost clock indicates superior per-core turbo capability.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both chips share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache differs substantially: the i7-10710U has 12 MB shared, while the i7-8559U has only 8 MB shared. This 4 MB additional cache could benefit workloads with larger working sets. The i7-8559U does have a documented die size of 123 mm², whereas no die size is listed for the i7-10710U.

Thermal design points differ as well, with the i7-10710U rated at 25W TDP versus the i7-8559U's 28W. The newer chip manages higher performance despite a lower TDP, suggesting improved power efficiency. Socket compatibility diverges: the i7-10710U uses Intel BGA 1440, while the i7-8559U uses the older Intel BGA 1356.

Memory support also distinguishes the two. The i7-10710U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, offering flexibility for system designers, while the i7-8559U supports only DDR4. Integrated graphics differ: the i7-10710U features UHD Graphics, while the i7-8559U includes Iris Pro Plus — a potentially significant difference for users relying on iGPU performance, though no graphics benchmarks are provided in the data.

Release timing puts the i7-10710U about 16 months newer, launching in August 2019 versus April 2018 for the i7-8559U. The production status also differs: the i7-10710U is end-of-life, while the i7-8559U remains active. Neither chip is multiplier-unlocked, and neither supports ECC memory.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-10710U wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 783 vs 703 in R15 (11.4% ahead), 3265 vs 2933 in R20 (11.3% ahead), and 7774 vs 6984 in R23 (11.3% ahead).

Q: Is the single-core performance difference the same as multi-core?

A: Nearly identical. The i7-10710U leads by 11.1% in R15 single-core (110 vs 99), 11.1% in R20 single-core (460 vs 414), and 11.3% in R23 single-core (1097 vs 986). The consistency suggests a per-core efficiency advantage.

Q: Does the i7-8559U have any benchmark where it wins?

A: No. In the head-to-head data, the i7-10710U wins all six tests. The i7-8559U does have Geekbench scores (4293 multi-core, 1384 single-core), but no comparable Geekbench results exist for the i7-10710U, so a direct comparison is impossible.

Q: How do these chips compare to other CPUs in the database?

A: Both sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs. The i7-10710U has an average benchmark score of 2248, closely matched by the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2246, 0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-9400 (2254, -0.3% delta). The i7-8559U averages 2225, with the Intel Core i7-5775C as its exact match (2224, 0% delta).

Q: Are there major architectural differences beyond core count?

A: Yes. The i7-10710U uses Comet Lake architecture (14 nm), has 12 MB L3 cache, supports DDR3 and DDR4, and has UHD Graphics. The i7-8559U uses Kaby Lake architecture (14 nm), has 8 MB L3 cache, supports only DDR4, and includes Iris Pro Plus graphics.

Q: Which chip has better power efficiency?

A: The i7-10710U has a 25W TDP versus the i7-8559U's 28W, despite delivering higher performance in every Cinebench test. This indicates better performance-per-watt for the newer architecture.

# The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the Intel Core i7-10710U as the stronger performer in every measurable head-to-head comparison. Across six Cinebench tests spanning three versions of the benchmark, the i7-10710U maintains a consistent 11.1% to 11.4% advantage. The uniformity of these margins is the most telling statistic — it indicates the newer architecture delivers a broad-based improvement rather than excelling only in specific workloads.

The core count disparity (6 vs 4) would typically suggest a larger multi-core advantage, yet the actual multi-core delta matches the single-core delta almost exactly. This implies the i7-8559U's higher base clock of 2700 MHz partially compensates for its fewer cores in multi-threaded scenarios, while the i7-10710U's superior boost clock of 4700 MHz drives its single-core lead.

However, the i7-8559U is not without merit. Its production status remains active, while the i7-10710U is end-of-life. The i7-8559U also offers Iris Pro Plus graphics, which may be superior to the UHD Graphics in the i7-10710U, though no graphics benchmarks exist in the data to confirm this. The i7-8559U's smaller 8 MB L3 cache and 4-core design might also translate to simpler thermal management in compact chassis, even with its slightly higher 28W TDP.

For users prioritizing raw CPU performance, the i7-10710U is the clear choice. For those considering platform longevity or integrated graphics capability, the i7-8559U's active production status and Iris Pro Plus graphics warrant consideration. The percentile data shows both chips occupy identical market positioning at the 47th percentile, so neither offers a categorical advantage in the broader CPU landscape.

# Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-10710U | Intel Core i7-8559U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1100.00 MHz | 2700 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 25W | 28W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel BGA 1356 |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Kaby Lake |

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

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

| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | Not listed | 123 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | Iris Pro Plus |

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

| Release Date | 2019-08-20 | 2018-04-04 |

| ECC Memory | No | No |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

# Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-10710U wins in every Cinebench category: multi-core R15 (783 vs 703), single-core R15 (110 vs 99), multi-core R20 (3265 vs 2933), single-core R20 (460 vs 414), multi-core R23 (7774 vs 6984), and single-core R23 (1097 vs 986). It also offers more threads (12 vs 8), more L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), broader memory compatibility (DDR3 and DDR4 vs DDR4 only), and a lower TDP (25W vs 28W) despite higher performance. The higher boost clock (4.70 GHz vs 4.50 GHz) further solidifies its advantage in burst workloads.

The Intel Core i7-8559U wins in areas outside raw benchmark scores. It remains in active production, while the i7-10710U is end-of-life — a meaningful factor for system builders concerned about long-term availability. It features Iris Pro Plus integrated graphics, which may outperform the UHD Graphics in the i7-10710U for GPU-accelerated tasks, though no graphics benchmarks are available to quantify this. Its higher base clock (2700 MHz vs 1100 MHz) could provide more consistent performance under sustained loads that prevent turbo boost from engaging. The documented die size of 123 mm² offers transparency that the i7-10710U lacks. Its earlier release date (April 2018) means more mature platform support and driver ecosystems. For users who prioritize the Geekbench metric, the i7-8559U's scores of 4293 multi-core and 1384 single-core provide a reference point, though no direct comparison exists.