Core i5-10500 vs Core i7-1255U

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 i5-10500 vs Core i7-1255U 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 i5-10500 vs Core i7-1255U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10500

2020

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1255U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,067 vs 13,128).
❌Launch MSRP is still $200 MSRP, while Core i7-1255U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-1255U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Core i7-1255U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1255U better than Core i5-10500?

Yes. Core i7-1255U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better 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 i7-1255U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.7% 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 i7-1255U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-1255U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-1255U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10500 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (65.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-1255U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10500 vs Core i7-1255U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10500

The Core i5-10500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,067 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-1255U

The Core i7-1255U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,128 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-1255U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-1255U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10500 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1255U — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-1255U (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-10500 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1255U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10500 scores 13,067 against the Core i7-1255U's 13,128 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-1255U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-10500	Core i7-1255U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 12+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+82%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	13,067	13,128
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,809

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1255U uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10500 versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-1255U — the Core i7-1255U supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10500) vs 20 (Core i7-1255U) — the Core i7-1255U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-10500	Core i7-1255U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800+80%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10500) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1255U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-10500) and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i7-1255U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10500 targets Desktop, Core i7-1255U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-1255U rivals Ryzen 7 6800U.

Feature	Core i5-10500	Core i7-1255U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Mainstream Laptop