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 i3-4170 vs Core i7-10510Y 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 i3-4170 vs Core i7-10510Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4170

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 54W instead of 512W, a 458W reduction.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-10510Y.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10510Y across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,897 vs 2,960).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i7-10510Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-10510Y

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌848.1% higher power demand at 512W vs 54W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4170.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10510Y better than Core i3-4170?

Yes. Core i7-10510Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 56% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.1% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-10510Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10510Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 56% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i7-10510Y is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-10510Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-4170 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (31.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Core i7-10510Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4170 vs Core i7-10510Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4170

The Core i3-4170 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,626 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i7-10510Y

The Core i7-10510Y 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 3,631 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4170 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-10510Y offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-10510Y has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-4170 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-10510Y — a 19.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-10510Y (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i3-4170 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-10510Y uses Comet Lake-Y (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4170 scores 3,626 against the Core i7-10510Y's 3,631 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-10510Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,140 vs 1,270, a 10.8% lead for the Core i7-10510Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,897 vs 2,960 (43.8% advantage for the Core i7-10510Y). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4170 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-10510Y.

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i7-10510Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.5 GHz+22%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+208%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Comet Lake-Y (2019)
PassMark	3,626	3,631
Geekbench 6 Single	1,140	1,270+11%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,897	2,960+56%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4170 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10510Y uses UTFCBGA1377 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4170 versus LPDDR3-2133 on the Core i7-10510Y — the Core i7-10510Y supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4170 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-4170) vs 10 (Core i7-10510Y) — the Core i3-4170 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1150 (Core i3-4170) and Comet Lake-Y (Core i7-10510Y).

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i7-10510Y
Socket	LGA1150	UTFCBGA1377
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	LPDDR3-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+60%	10

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4170) and Intel UHD Graphics 617 (Core i7-10510Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10510Y targets Ultrabook/Tablet.

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i7-10510Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	Intel UHD Graphics 617
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Ultrabook/Tablet