Core i5-10600T vs Core Ultra 5 115U

Intel

Core i5-10600T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core Ultra 5 115U

8 Cores10 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2023
Core Ultra family
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Core i5-10600T vs Core Ultra 5 115U Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i5-10600T vs Core Ultra 5 115U 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 i5-10600T vs Core Ultra 5 115U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10600T

2020

Why buy it

  • +20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 115U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (11,505 vs 11,518).
  • Launch MSRP is still $213 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 115U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 115U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 115U

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 115U better than Core i5-10600T?
Yes. Core Ultra 5 115U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 Ultra 5 115U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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 Ultra 5 115U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 10 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 5 115U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10600T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 115U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10600T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (54.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 5 115U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 10 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10600T vs Core Ultra 5 115U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-10600T

The Core i5-10600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 11,505 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core Ultra 5 115U

The Core Ultra 5 115U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 10 MB. Memory support: DDR5 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 11,518 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-10600T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 115U offers 8 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 5 115U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i5-10600T versus 4.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 115U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 115U is built on the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-10600T scores 11,505 against the Core Ultra 5 115U's 11,518 — a 0.1% lead for the Core Ultra 5 115U. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-10600T vs 10 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 115U.

FeatureCore i5-10600TCore Ultra 5 115U
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 10+33%
Boost Clock
4 GHz
4.2 GHz+5%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+60%
1.5 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB Intel® Smart Cache+20%
10 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Meteor Lake (2023)
PassMark
11,505
11,518
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10600T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 115U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10600TCore Ultra 5 115U
Socket
LGA1200
FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%