Intel Core i7-10750H

The Intel Core i7-10750H is a 6-core, 12-thread mobile processor from the Comet Lake-H series, built on Intel's 14 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, placing it in the upper tier of laptop CPUs from its 2020 release window. Benchmark data reveals a processor that balances strong single-threaded responsiveness with respectable multi-threaded throughput, though its position in the current market is defined by how those capabilities stack against newer, more efficient designs.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is the most telling aspect of this chip's profile. In Cinebench R23, the i7-10750H scores 1393 points in single-core and 9871 points in multi-core, yielding a ratio of roughly 7.1x when moving from one thread to all twelve. This indicates that the processor scales well with thread count, but the absolute multi-thread score is modest compared to what modern chips with similar thread counts achieve. The 3DMark results reinforce this: single-thread scores 728, while 2-thread scores 1356 (about 1.86x the single-thread score), 4-thread scores 2394 (3.29x), 8-thread scores 3497 (4.80x), and max-thread scores 4186 (5.75x). The scaling from 8 to 12 threads is only about 20% (3497 to 4186), suggesting diminishing returns as the CPU approaches its thermal or power limits.

For real workloads, this means the chip excels in tasks that rely on quick, single-threaded responses—such as web browsing, office applications, and legacy software that isn't heavily parallelized. The 5.00 GHz boost clock is a significant advantage here, as it allows the processor to rapidly complete short bursts of work. Conversely, in heavily threaded workloads like video rendering or 3D modeling, the i7-10750H will lag behind newer 6-core parts that feature higher IPC (instructions per clock) from more recent architectures. The PassMark data compression score of 167213 and integer math score of 39730 indicate solid throughput for data-heavy tasks, but the floating-point math score of 25070 suggests that scientific or engineering applications may not see the same level of performance. The single-thread PassMark score of 2625 is competitive for its era, yet modern low-power parts like the i5-1230U can match or exceed this while using far less energy.

How It Compares

Intel Core i5-9400F: The i7-10750H and the i5-9400F are statistically identical in average benchmark score, with a delta of 0%. The i5-9400F is a desktop part with 6 cores and 6 threads (no hyperthreading), yet it matches the mobile i7's 12-thread performance. This reveals that the i7-10750H's extra threads do not translate into a meaningful advantage in the aggregate, likely because the desktop chip sustains higher clocks across all cores without the thermal constraints of a laptop chassis.

Intel Core i7-7700: The i7-7700, a 7th-gen desktop processor, trails the i7-10750H by just 0.5% in average score. This is a striking result: a 2020 mobile chip barely edges out a 2017 desktop chip. The i7-7700 has 4 cores and 8 threads, so its higher per-core efficiency and desktop power envelope allow it to nearly match the 6-core mobile part. Benchmark results indicate that raw core count is not the sole determinant of performance, and the i7-10750H's advantage is marginal at best.

Intel Core i5-1230U: The i5-1230U, a 12th-gen low-power mobile chip, is 1.3% behind the i7-10750H in average score. This is a significant finding because the i5-1230U operates at a much lower TDP (typically 15W vs 45W) and uses hybrid cores. Despite having fewer performance cores, its modern architecture delivers comparable multi-threaded results, meaning the i7-10750H's higher power draw does not yield proportionally higher performance.

Intel Core i3-1215U: The i3-1215U, another 12th-gen low-power part, is 1.4% behind the i7-10750H. This is the closest margin in the rival set, and it underscores how quickly mobile computing has progressed. The i3-1215U features a hybrid design with performance and efficiency cores, and its benchmark scores are nearly identical to the i7-10750H despite being a lower-tier product. The data suggests that the i7-10750H's performance class has been effectively democratized by newer, more efficient architectures.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 13029 places the i7-10750H at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms roughly 72% of processors in the database. This is a respectable position, but the nearest rivals show just how tight the competition is. The i5-9400F scores 13035 (0% delta), the i7-7700 scores 12962 (0.5% faster), the i5-1230U scores 12864 (1.3% slower), and the i3-1215U scores 12853 (1.4% slower). These deltas are within the margin of error for most benchmarking tools, indicating that the i7-10750H is functionally equivalent to these four very different processors in aggregate performance.

Delving into specific workloads, the Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 4145 is about 42% higher than the single-core score of 585, showing strong thread scaling. In Geekbench, the multi-core score of 5381 is 3.7x the single-core score of 1456, which is a healthy ratio for a 6-core part. PassMark multi-thread score of 11616 versus single-thread of 2625 yields a 4.4x ratio, further confirming the chip's ability to utilize its threads. However, the 3DMark max-thread score of 4186 is only 0.6% higher than the 16-thread score of 4162, suggesting that the chip reaches its practical limit around 8-12 threads. This is consistent with the 6-core/12-thread design, but it also means that in workloads using more than 12 threads, the i7-10750H has no headroom. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 994 and single-core of 140 are older benchmarks, but they align with the R20 and R23 results, confirming consistency across testing generations.

FAQ

Q: How does the i7-10750H perform in single-threaded tasks compared to its multi-threaded performance?

A: The single-thread performance is strong, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1393 and a PassMark single-thread score of 2625. Multi-threaded performance scales well up to 8 threads (3DMark 8-thread score of 3497), but gains diminish beyond that, with the max-thread score of 4186 only slightly higher than the 16-thread score of 4162.

Q: Is the i7-10750H competitive with newer low-power mobile processors?

A: Yes, but barely. The i7-10750H is 1.3% faster than the Intel Core i5-1230U and 1.4% faster than the Intel Core i3-1215U in average benchmark score. This is a slim margin given that those newer parts operate at significantly lower TDPs.

Q: What is the processor's percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The i7-10750H is at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms 72% of processors in the benchmark database. Its average benchmark score is 13029.

Q: Does the i7-10750H support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The processor supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.

Q: What is the boost clock and how does it affect performance?

A: The boost clock is 5.00 GHz, which is notably high for a mobile processor. This allows for rapid single-threaded execution, as evidenced by the 3DMark single-thread score of 728 and the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1393.

Q: How does the i7-10750H compare to the Intel Core i7-7700?

A: The i7-10750H is 0.5% faster than the i7-7700 in average benchmark score. The i7-7700 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-10750H has 6 cores and 12 threads, yet the performance difference is negligible.

Who Should Consider It

For gaming, the i7-10750H is a capable choice, but not a standout one. The 3DMark single-thread score of 728 and 4-thread score of 2394 indicate that the processor can handle most modern game titles, which typically rely on 4-8 threads. The high boost clock of 5.00 GHz provides the responsiveness needed for frame pacing, and the 6-core/12-thread configuration offers some headroom for background tasks like streaming or voice chat. However, the 8-thread score of 3497 suggests that very CPU-intensive games that scale beyond 8 threads may not run at their highest settings, especially when paired with a discrete GPU that demands more system resources.

For content creation, the i7-10750H is adequate for light to moderate workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 9871 means it can handle 1080p video editing and basic 3D rendering, but longer render times will be noticeable compared to newer processors. The PassMark data compression score of 167213 and extended instructions score of 10470 show that the chip can manage file archiving and encryption tasks efficiently, but the floating-point math score of 25070 is modest, which may hinder certain scientific or engineering applications. Users who frequently render 4K video or complex 3D scenes should look at more modern alternatives, as the i7-10750H's 14 nm architecture is at a significant IPC disadvantage.

For office and productivity work, the i7-10750H is more than sufficient. The single-thread PassMark score of 2625 and Geekbench single-core score of 1456 ensure snappy application launches and fluid multitasking in spreadsheets, word processors, and web browsers. The 12 threads provide smooth performance in virtualization or software compilation tasks, and the 72nd percentile ranking means it will not bottleneck typical business software. However, the 45W TDP means that laptops with this chip will require active cooling, so fan noise may be higher than with newer low-power parts that offer similar performance at a fraction of the power draw.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-10750H uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which means it is soldered to the motherboard and not upgradeable. This is a standard limitation for mobile processors, but it also means that buyers must select a laptop with the exact configuration they need, as there is no path to swap the CPU later. The processor is part of the Comet Lake-H architecture, which is compatible with DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, supporting a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, which is typical for consumer mobile parts.

For expansion, the i7-10750H provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This is sufficient for a single discrete GPU and one or two NVMe SSDs, but it lacks the PCIe Gen 4 support found in newer platforms. The integrated graphics is Intel UHD Graphics, which is suitable for basic display output and light media playback, but not for gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads. The production status is listed as Active, but the processor was released on 2020-04-01, meaning it is several generations old. The upgrade path for a laptop with this chip is limited to replacing the entire system, as the BGA 1440 socket is not used by any newer Intel mobile processors. Users considering this platform should be aware that they are buying into a dead-end socket, but for a pre-built laptop, the performance is still competitive for many tasks.

Power and Thermals

The i7-10750H has a TDP of 45 watts, which classifies it as a high-power mobile processor. This is typical for gaming laptops and mobile workstations, but it is significantly higher than the 15W TDP of newer low-power parts like the i5-1230U or i3-1215U. The 45W TDP implies that the laptop must include a robust cooling solution—typically dual fans and multiple heat pipes—to sustain the 5.00 GHz boost clock under load. In practice, benchmark results indicate that the chip reaches its thermal limits in multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by the diminishing scaling from 8 to 12 threads in 3DMark. The 14 nm process node is less efficient than newer 10 nm or 7 nm processes, meaning the i7-10750H will generate more heat for the same level of performance. Users should expect higher surface temperatures on the chassis and louder fan noise during extended rendering or gaming sessions. For sustained workloads, the processor may throttle below its maximum boost clock, but the single-thread performance remains strong due to the high clock speed. In short, the i7-10750H demands a capable cooling solution, and laptops featuring it are likely to be thicker and heavier than those with newer, more efficient processors. The trade-off is that this chip offers solid performance for its age, provided the cooling system can keep up.