Intel Core i7-10870H vs Intel Core i7-10875H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-10870H and Intel Core i7-10875H are nearly identical 8-core Comet Lake-H mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals a clear split in their strengths. The 10875H generally leads in threaded and single-core Cinebench workloads, while the 10870H counters with a decisive victory in Geekbench and specific 3DMark multi-threaded tests. Both CPUs sit at the 54th percentile among all processors, with average benchmark scores of 3446 for the 10870H and 3432 for the 10875H, placing them statistically neck-and-neck.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10875H has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-10870H has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 10875H also has a slightly higher base clock at 2.30 GHz versus 2.20 GHz.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Core i7-10875H wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 12234, which is 3.1% ahead of the Core i7-10870H's score of 11852. This pattern holds across all Cinebench versions tested, including R15 and R20.

Q: Is there a benchmark where the Core i7-10870H is significantly ahead?

A: Yes, the Geekbench multi-core test shows a 13% advantage for the Core i7-10870H, with a score of 7357 compared to the 10875H's 6511. The 10870H also wins the Geekbench single-core test by 4.3%.

Q: Do these processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-10870H and Intel Core i7-10875H feature 8 cores and 16 threads, with a shared 16 MB L3 cache and 256 KB L2 cache per core.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for these CPUs based on average benchmark score?

A: The Core i7-10870H's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS with an average score of 3447 (0% delta), followed by the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS at 3444. The Core i7-10875H's closest rival is the Intel Core i9-9880H with an average score of 3433 (0% delta).

Q: Which CPU was released earlier?

A: The Intel Core i7-10875H was released on April 1, 2020, while the Intel Core i7-10870H was released later on September 16, 2020.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same fundamental architecture: Intel's Comet Lake-H, manufactured on a 14 nm process node by Intel. They share the same codename, Comet Lake-H, and belong to the same Core 10th Gen series. The core configuration is identical — 8 cores and 16 threads — with matching cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache.

The architectural differences are minimal but measurable. The Core i7-10875H lists a die size of 177.5 mm² and specifies dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the Core i7-10870H's fact pack omits die size and memory bus details. Both support DDR4 memory and lack ECC support. Their PCIe implementation is the same: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both integrate UHD Graphics and use the Intel BGA 1440 socket. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both are marked as production status "Active."

The key differentiator comes down to clock speeds. The 10875H operates with a 2.30 GHz base clock and a 5.10 GHz boost clock, whereas the 10870H runs at 2.20 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. This 100 MHz advantage in both base and boost clocks for the 10875H explains its consistent lead in clock-sensitive workloads like Cinebench, despite the otherwise identical architecture.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i7-10875H is the better choice for users prioritizing raw computational throughput in rendering and content creation workloads. It wins 10 of the 14 head-to-head benchmarks, including every single Cinebench test — R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core. Its higher base and boost clocks translate directly into a 3.1% to 3.4% advantage across the Cinebench suite, making it the more consistent performer for sustained multi-threaded tasks.

However, the Intel Core i7-10870H is not without its merits. It wins the Geekbench multi-core test by a substantial 13% margin (7357 vs 6511) and the Geekbench single-core test by 4.3% (1443 vs 1384). It also edges out the 10875H in 3DMark's 16-thread test (5163 vs 5104, a 1.2% lead) and the max-thread test (5178 vs 5081, a 1.9% lead). These wins suggest the 10870H may have better optimization in certain synthetic workloads, particularly Geekbench's mixed integer and floating-point tasks.

For a mobile gaming or productivity laptop, the choice depends on the application ecosystem. The 10875H is the safer pick for Cinebench-based rendering workloads and CPU-bound tasks that scale with clock speed. The 10870H's Geekbench dominance, however, indicates it may offer better real-world performance in applications that align with Geekbench's test methodology. Given the 10875H's earlier release date and its consistent Cinebench supremacy, it stands as the more reliable performer for general multi-threaded use, while the 10870H presents a compelling alternative for Geekbench-centric workflows.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in only a few documented specifications. The base clock is 2.20 GHz for the Intel Core i7-10870H versus 2.30 GHz for the Intel Core i7-10875H. The boost clock is 5.00 GHz for the 10870H versus 5.10 GHz for the 10875H. The release dates differ: the 10875H launched on April 1, 2020, while the 10870H launched on September 16, 2020. The 10875H has a documented die size of 177.5 mm², a dual-channel memory bus, and a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s; these fields are not listed for the 10870H. The launch MSRP for the 10875H is $450; no launch MSRP is recorded for the 10870H. The part numbers also differ: SRK3Y for the 10870H and SRJ8F for the 10875H. All other specifications — cores, threads, TDP, socket, architecture, process node, cache sizes, memory support, PCIe lanes, integrated graphics, market segment, production status, ECC support, and unlocked multiplier status — are identical between the two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-10875H dominates the Cinebench suite, establishing a clear pattern of superiority in multi-threaded rendering tasks. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 10875H scores 1233 against the 10870H's 1194, a 3.2% lead. The R15 single-core test shows a similar 3.4% gap (174 vs 168). Moving to R20, the 10875H maintains its advantage: 5138 vs 4977 in multi-core (3.1% lead) and 725 vs 702 in single-core (3.2% lead). The trend continues in R23, where the 10875H scores 12234 vs 11852 in multi-core and 1727 vs 1673 in single-core, both showing a 3.1% delta.

The 3DMark results are more mixed. The 10875H wins the 2-thread test (1404 vs 1347, a 4.1% lead), the 4-thread test (2527 vs 2462, a 2.6% lead), the 8-thread test (4050 vs 4013, a 0.9% lead), and the single-thread test (753 vs 720, a 4.4% lead). However, the 10870H strikes back in the 16-thread test (5163 vs 5104, a 1.2% lead) and the max-thread test (5178 vs 5081, a 1.9% lead), suggesting that at very high thread counts, the 10870H's performance scaling is slightly better.

The Geekbench results are the most dramatic divergence. The 10870H wins multi-core by a landslide 13% margin (7357 vs 6511) and single-core by 4.3% (1443 vs 1384). This is a significant inversion of the Cinebench results, indicating that the two CPUs respond very differently to Geekbench's specific workload mix. The 10870H also holds the higher average benchmark score of 3446 versus 3432 for the 10875H, despite losing most head-to-head tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-10875H is the clear winner for Cinebench-based workloads. It wins every Cinebench test across R15, R20, and R23, with consistent 3.1% to 3.4% margins in both single-core and multi-core variants. This makes it the preferred choice for users running rendering, 3D modeling, or video encoding applications that rely on Cinebench-style CPU performance. Its higher 5.10 GHz boost clock and 2.30 GHz base clock provide a tangible advantage in these clock-sensitive tasks. The 10875H also wins all 3DMark tests at lower thread counts (2, 4, and 8 threads) and the single-thread test, making it better suited for lightly-threaded gaming scenarios and everyday tasks that depend on single-core speed.

The Intel Core i7-10870H wins different territory. Its 13% Geekbench multi-core victory and 4.3% Geekbench single-core victory suggest it excels in workloads that mimic Geekbench's diverse mix of integer, floating-point, and memory-bound operations. It also wins the 3DMark 16-thread and max-thread tests, indicating better scaling when all 16 threads are heavily utilized. This makes the 10870H a better option for users whose software stack aligns with Geekbench's performance metrics, such as certain scientific computing or data processing applications. Its higher average benchmark score (3446 vs 3432) and its placement next to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS in the rival rankings (0% delta) suggest it holds its own in general-purpose performance. For users prioritizing Geekbench-style workloads or maximum multi-threaded scaling, the 10870H is the data-backed choice, despite losing the majority of head-to-head tests.