Core i5-10500T vs Core i7-8700T

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 i5-10500T vs Core i7-8700T 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 i5-10500T vs Core i7-8700T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10500T

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $77 less on MSRP ($226 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 33.7 PassMark/$ ($226 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,140 vs 10,213).

Core i7-8700T

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.7 vs 44.9 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $226 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8700T better than Core i5-10500T?

Yes. Core i7-8700T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8700T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% 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 i7-8700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-8700T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10500T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-8700T comes in 34.1% more expensive on MSRP at $303 MSRP versus $226 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10500T is also 33.1% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 33.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-10500T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i5-10500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10500T vs Core i7-8700T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10500T

The Core i5-10500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,140 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8700T

The Core i7-8700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,213 points. Launch price was $303.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10500T and Core i7-8700T share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-10500T versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-8700T — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700T (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-8700T is built on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-10500T scores 10,140 against the Core i7-8700T's 10,213 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-8700T. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-10500T vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-8700T.

Feature	Core i5-10500T	Core i7-8700T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	12 MB Intel® Smart Cache	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	10,140	10,213

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10500T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8700T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10500T	Core i7-8700T
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10500T was priced at $226, while the Core i7-8700T came in at $303. On launch pricing ($226 vs $303), Core i5-10500T was $77 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10500T delivers 44.9 pts/$ vs 33.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700T — making the Core i5-10500T the 28.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10500T	Core i7-8700T
MSRP	$226-25%	$303
Performance per Dollar	44.9+33%	33.7
Release Date	2020	2018

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