Intel Core i7-10810U vs Intel Core i7-7920HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7920HQ and Intel Core i7-10810U are two mobile processors from different eras of Intel’s lineup. The first is a 2017 Kaby Lake-H part with a 45-watt design, while the second is a 2020 Comet Lake-U chip with a 25-watt envelope. Despite the generational gap, both target the same broad market segment: high-performance laptops. The benchmark records in the database provide a clear picture of how they compare, and the results are surprisingly one-sided. This analysis will break down the measured performance, architectural differences, and the specific strengths of each processor based solely on the recorded data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is unambiguous. Across all six recorded tests, the Intel Core i7-10810U wins every single comparison. There are no victories for the Intel Core i7-7920HQ in any measured workload. The margins are consistent, hovering around 9 to 10 percent in favor of the newer chip.

In Cinebench R15, the i7-10810U scores 686 in the multi-core test against the i7-7920HQ’s 619. That is a delta of negative 9.8 percent for the older processor, meaning the 10810U is roughly 10.8 percent faster in this workload. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 96 for the 10810U versus 87 for the 7920HQ, a 9.4 percent deficit for the Kaby Lake part.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the margins remain nearly identical. The multi-core score is 2862 for the 10810U and 2583 for the 7920HQ, a difference of 9.7 percent. Single-core performance in R20 shows 404 against 364, which translates to a 9.9 percent gap. These numbers indicate that the performance advantage is not limited to multi-threaded workloads; it applies equally to single-threaded tasks.

The newest Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. The 10810U posts 6816 in multi-core, while the 7920HQ records 6151, a 9.8 percent difference. In single-core R23, the scores are 962 and 868, respectively, again a 9.8 percent gap. The consistency of these deltas across different versions of the same benchmark suite is striking. It suggests the advantage is systemic, not workload-specific.

The Geekbench results are only recorded for the 7920HQ, with a multi-core score of 3999 and a single-core score of 1267. The 10810U lacks a Geekbench entry in the database, so a direct head-to-head in that test is not possible. However, the Cinebench data is sufficient to establish the overall performance hierarchy. The 10810U is faster in every measured aspect, and the margin is remarkably uniform at roughly 9.4 to 9.9 percent across all tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In R15, it scores 686 versus 619; in R20, 2862 versus 2583; and in R23, 6816 versus 6151. The deltas range from 9.7 to 9.8 percent in favor of the 10810U.

Q: Is the single-core performance also better on the newer chip?

A: Yes. The 10810U leads in every single-core Cinebench test. R15 shows 96 versus 87, R20 shows 404 versus 364, and R23 shows 962 versus 868. The performance deficit for the 7920HQ is between 9.4 and 9.9 percent across these tests.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of core counts?

A: The 10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 7920HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads. The newer chip has two additional cores and four additional threads, which likely contributes to its multi-core advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between them?

A: The 7920HQ has a TDP of 45 watts, while the 10810U has a TDP of 25 watts. This is notable because the 10810U achieves higher performance while being rated for a lower power envelope.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: Yes, both are listed with the Intel BGA 1440 socket. This is a shared physical interface, though the architectures differ.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The 7920HQ has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the 10810U has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The base clocks are recorded as 3.10 GHz for the 7920HQ and 1100.00 MHz for the 10810U, though the latter figure appears to be a nominal idle or low-power clock rather than a typical operating frequency.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The i7-7920HQ is built on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake-H variant, and belongs to the Core i7 generation tied to that architecture. The i7-10810U is built on Comet Lake, specifically Comet Lake-U, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen series. Both are manufactured on a 14 nm process node by Intel, so the process technology itself is identical. The difference lies in the microarchitecture improvements and feature set changes introduced between Kaby Lake and Comet Lake.

Cache configuration differs significantly. The 7920HQ has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared L3 cache of 8 MB. The 10810U also has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but its shared L3 cache is larger at 12 MB. This 4 MB difference in L3 cache is substantial and likely contributes to the performance gap, especially in workloads that benefit from larger on-chip memory pools.

The integrated graphics also differ. The 7920HQ uses Intel HD Graphics 630, while the 10810U uses UHD Graphics. The data does not include specific GPU benchmark scores, so a performance comparison of the integrated graphics is not possible from the recorded facts. However, the presence of different graphics units indicates a generational upgrade in the visual output capabilities.

Memory support is the same for both: DDR3 and DDR4, with dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe support is listed as Gen 3 for both, though the 7920HQ specifies 16 lanes from the CPU, while the 10810U simply lists Gen 3 without a lane count. This could imply a difference in available bandwidth for discrete GPUs or other peripherals, but the data does not elaborate further.

The die size is only recorded for the 7920HQ at 126 mm². No die size is listed for the 10810U, so a direct comparison of physical chip dimensions is not possible. Transistor counts are also absent for both, preventing a density comparison.

Specification Differences

Several specifications differ between the two processors. The core and thread counts are the most obvious: the 7920HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the 10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads. This is a 50 percent increase in core count for the newer part.

Base clock speeds are recorded as 3.10 GHz for the 7920HQ and 1100.00 MHz for the 10810U. The boost clocks are 4.10 GHz and 4.90 GHz, respectively. The 10810U has a higher boost ceiling by 0.80 GHz, which partially explains its single-core advantage.

TDP is another key difference. The 7920HQ is rated at 45 watts, while the 10810U is rated at 25 watts. This lower power draw, combined with higher performance, makes the 10810U a more efficient part on paper, though the data does not include any power efficiency measurements.

The L3 cache differs: 8 MB shared for the 7920HQ versus 12 MB shared for the 10810U. Both have the same L1 and L2 cache sizes per core. The process node is identical at 14 nm, and both are manufactured by Intel.

The integrated graphics are different, as noted: HD Graphics 630 for the older chip and UHD Graphics for the newer one. The socket is the same (Intel BGA 1440), and both are mobile market segments. The 7920HQ has a recorded launch MSRP of $568, while the 10810U has no launch MSRP listed in the data.

The release dates differ by several years: the 7920HQ was released in January 2017, while the 10810U was released in April 2020. Both are marked as end-of-life production status. The 7920HQ has a part number (SR32L), while the 10810U does not have one listed.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows that the Intel Core i7-10810U wins in every single benchmark test recorded in the head-to-head comparison. There are six tests, and the 10810U takes all six. This includes both multi-core and single-core variants of Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The margins are consistent, ranging from 9.4 percent to 9.9 percent in favor of the 10810U.

For the 7920HQ, there are no wins in the head-to-head data. However, it does have Geekbench scores recorded (3999 multi-core, 1267 single-core) that the 10810U lacks. Without a comparable Geekbench score for the 10810U, it cannot be said that the 7920HQ wins in that test; it simply has data where the other does not. The overall record shows 0 wins for the 7920HQ and 6 wins for the 10810U.

In practice, this means the 10810U is the better choice for any workload that relies on raw CPU performance, whether that is single-threaded responsiveness or multi-threaded rendering. The 7920HQ’s higher TDP of 45 watts does not translate into a performance victory; the 25-watt 10810U outperforms it across the board. For users prioritizing maximum CPU throughput in a mobile system, the 10810U is the clear winner based on the recorded benchmarks.

The 7920HQ does have the advantage of a listed launch MSRP of $568, which the 10810U lacks. However, pricing information is not a performance metric, and both parts are end-of-life, so current availability and pricing are not addressed in the data.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is decisive. The Intel Core i7-10810U outperforms the Intel Core i7-7920HQ in every recorded head-to-head test. The performance advantage is consistent, sitting at roughly 9.4 to 9.9 percent across all Cinebench iterations, both single-core and multi-core. This is a substantial margin for two processors that share the same socket and process node.

The architectural advantages of the 10810U are clear: it has 6 cores and 12 threads versus 4 cores and 8 threads, a larger 12 MB L3 cache versus 8 MB, and a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. All of these factors contribute to its superior benchmark results. The fact that it achieves this with a lower TDP of 25 watts versus 45 watts makes the result even more notable.

For users considering a laptop with one of these processors, the data suggests that the i7-10810U is the stronger choice for virtually any CPU-intensive task. Whether the workload is single-threaded, like many everyday applications, or multi-threaded, like video rendering or compilation, the 10810U leads. The 7920HQ does not offer any performance advantage in the measured tests.

The 7920HQ may still have a place in systems where its specific feature set is required, such as the 16 PCIe lanes listed for CPU-only connectivity, which the 10810U does not specify in the same way. However, for raw compute performance, the verdict is straightforward: the 10810U wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, and the recorded data provides no scenario where the 7920HQ comes out ahead. The newer architecture, higher core count, larger cache, and faster boost clock collectively deliver a decisive victory for the Comet Lake part.