Intel Core i7-10870H vs Intel Core i9-10900TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison between the Intel Core i9-10900TE and the Intel Core i7-10870H is remarkably one-sided. Across all six Cinebench tests recorded in the database, the i9-10900TE claims victory, though by margins that are consistently narrow. The largest advantage appears in the single-core tests, where the i9-10900TE leads by 1.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core (171 vs. 168) and 1.7% in Cinebench R20 single-core (714 vs. 702). The multi-core deltas are slightly smaller, with the i9-10900TE ahead by 1.6% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests.

Looking at the raw scores, the Cinebench R23 multi-core result shows the i9-10900TE scoring 12045 against the i7-10870H’s 11852, a gap of just 193 points. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i9-10900TE posts 5058 versus 4977 for the i7-10870H. The single-core Cinebench R23 numbers are similarly close: 1700 for the i9-10900TE and 1673 for the i7-10870H. The pattern is clear: the i9-10900TE wins every recorded benchmark, but the performance difference is under 2% in all cases, meaning that in real-world usage, the two chips are nearly indistinguishable in raw compute throughput.

The i7-10870H does bring additional benchmark data not shared with the i9-10900TE. In 3DMark tests, it scores 5163 in the 16-thread test, 5178 in the max-thread test, 4013 in the 8-thread test, 2462 in the 4-thread test, 1347 in the 2-thread test, and 720 in the single-thread test. Its Geekbench scores are 7357 multi-core and 1443 single-core. These results are not directly compared in the head-to-head table, but they provide context for the i7-10870H’s capability profile.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to Intel’s 10th Generation Core lineup and share the Comet Lake architecture, manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process node. The core microarchitecture is identical, which explains the near-parity in benchmark results. However, the two chips differ substantially in their physical configuration and target platforms.

The Intel Core i9-10900TE is a desktop part with 10 cores and 20 threads, housed in the Intel Socket 1200. Its base clock is 1.80 GHz with a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, and it carries a TDP of 35 watts. The i7-10870H is a mobile processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, using the Intel BGA 1440 socket. It runs at a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz and boosts to 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 45 watts. The higher clocks on the i7-10870H partially offset its two-core deficit, which is why the multi-core benchmark gap stays so small.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. The i9-10900TE features 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-10870H has 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, so the per-core cache structure is identical. The die size for the i9-10900TE is recorded at 206 mm², while the i7-10870H has no die size listed in the database.

Memory support is another point of distinction. The i9-10900TE supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a measured memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The i7-10870H also supports DDR4, but the database does not list its memory bus configuration or bandwidth. Both chips lack ECC memory support and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ slightly in naming: the i9-10900TE includes UHD Graphics 630, while the i7-10870H has a more generic UHD Graphics designation.

The release dates also differ. The i9-10900TE was released on April 29, 2020, while the i7-10870H followed on September 16, 2020. The i9-10900TE carries a launch MSRP of $488, while the i7-10870H has no launch MSRP recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so both are locked for overclocking purposes.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the i9-10900TE wins all six head-to-head tests, but the margins are so slim that the practical advantage is minimal. The i9-10900TE’s wins come from its additional two cores and 20 MB of L3 cache, which provide a slight edge in multi-threaded workloads. The single-core wins are more surprising given the i7-10870H’s higher boost clock, but the database shows the i9-10900TE ahead by 1.6% to 1.8% in every single-core test.

The i7-10870H does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but its profile is not without merit. Its higher base and boost clocks (2.20 GHz base, 5.00 GHz boost) suggest it can sustain higher frequencies under lighter loads, and its mobile form factor makes it suitable for laptops where the i9-10900TE’s desktop socket is inapplicable. In the 3DMark tests recorded for the i7-10870H, the scaling from single-thread (720) to max-thread (5178) shows a healthy multi-thread capability, though no comparable 3DMark data exists for the i9-10900TE in the database.

For users prioritizing the absolute highest Cinebench scores, the i9-10900TE is the pick. For users who need a processor in a mobile chassis, the i7-10870H is the only option that fits, and its performance is within 2% of the desktop chip in the shared benchmarks.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i9-10900TE is the faster processor in every measured category. Its six head-to-head wins, all with deltas between 1.6% and 1.8%, give it a consistent, if modest, performance advantage. The i9-10900TE also offers more cores (10 vs. 8), more threads (20 vs. 16), and a larger L3 cache (20 MB vs. 16 MB), which aligns with its higher Cinebench multi-core scores.

However, the i7-10870H is not far behind. Its lower core count is compensated by a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs. 4.50 GHz), and the benchmark results show that this nearly closes the gap. The average benchmark scores reflect this: the i9-10900TE has an average score of 3484, while the i7-10870H sits at 3446, a difference of just 38 points. Both processors land at the 54th percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing them in the same performance tier.

The choice between the two ultimately depends on the platform. The i9-10900TE is a desktop processor with a 35-watt TDP, suited for low-power or compact desktop builds. The i7-10870H is a mobile processor with a 45-watt TDP, designed for laptops and portable workstations. If the system form factor is a desktop, the i9-10900TE wins on raw performance and core count. If the system is a laptop, the i7-10870H is the only viable selection, and its performance is close enough that users are unlikely to notice the difference in everyday tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900TE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i7-10870H has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i9-10900TE in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i9-10900TE scores 12045 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 1.6% ahead of the i7-10870H’s 11852.

Q: Does the i7-10870H have a higher boost clock?

A: Yes, the i7-10870H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the i9-10900TE boosts to 4.50 GHz. Despite this, the i9-10900TE still wins all single-core Cinebench tests.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The i9-10900TE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i7-10870H has a TDP of 45 watts.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both use the Comet Lake architecture and are manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process node. The i7-10870H is specifically part of the Comet Lake-H mobile series.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i9-10900TE has an average benchmark score of 3484, compared to 3446 for the i7-10870H. Both are at the 54th percentile among all CPUs in the database.