Core i3-10110Y vs Core i7-870

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-10110Y vs Core i7-870 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-10110Y vs Core i7-870: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10110Y

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-870.

Core i7-870

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i3-10110Y.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,164 vs 3,171).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core i3-10110Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-870 better than Core i3-10110Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-870 is ahead with a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10110Y pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-870 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10110Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-870 is the better buy right now. Core i7-870 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-10110Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible UTFCBGA1377 setup, Core i3-10110Y can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10110Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10110Y vs Core i7-870 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-10110Y

The Core i3-10110Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-Y (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1377. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,171 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-870

The Core i7-870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10110Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-870 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-870 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-10110Y versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-10110Y (base: 1 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Core i3-10110Y uses the Comet Lake-Y (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-870 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10110Y scores 3,171 against the Core i7-870's 3,164 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-10110Y. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-10110Y vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870.

Feature	Core i3-10110Y	Core i7-870
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	1 GHz	2.93 GHz+193%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-Y (2019)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	3,171	3,164
Geekbench 6 Single	—	476
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,541

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10110Y uses the UTFCBGA1377 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-870 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10110Y	Core i7-870
Socket	UTFCBGA1377	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16