Core i5-1240P vs Core i7-10700

Intel

Core i5-1240P

12 Cores16 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-10700

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i5-1240P vs Core i7-10700 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 i5-1240P vs Core i7-10700 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 i5-1240P vs Core i7-10700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240P

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $56 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $365 MSRP).
  • Delivers 19.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 52.5 vs 44.0 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $365 MSRP).
  • Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W 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

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,268 vs 12,250).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-10700.

Core i7-10700

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +12.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-1240P.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.0 vs 52.5 PassMark/$ ($365 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
  • 132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-1240P moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700 better than Core i5-1240P?
Yes. Core i7-10700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 8.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-10700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.8% 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 i7-10700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-10700 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-10700 comes in 18.1% more expensive on MSRP at $365 MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-1240P only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 12.8% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-1240P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1240P vs Core i7-10700 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1240P

The Core i5-1240P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,224 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core i7-10700

The Core i7-10700 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 16,067 points. Launch price was $340.

Processing Power

The Core i5-1240P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-10700 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-1240P has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240P versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-1240P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-10700 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240P scores 16,224 against the Core i7-10700's 16,067 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-1240P. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,268 vs 12,250 (8.4% advantage for the Core i7-10700). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,102 vs 1,597, a 27.3% lead for the Core i5-1240P that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,577 vs 7,926 (4.5% advantage for the Core i7-10700). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1240P vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700.

FeatureCore i5-1240PCore i7-10700
Cores / Threads
12 / 16+50%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
2.9 GHz+71%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-P (2022)
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark
16,224
16,067
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,268
12,250+9%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,102+32%
1,597
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,577
7,926+5%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-10700 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-1240P versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700 — the Core i5-1240P supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-10700 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: 20 (Core i5-1240P) vs 16 (Core i7-10700) — the Core i5-1240P offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Alder Lake-P (Core i5-1240P) and B460,H470,Z490,B560,Z590 (Core i7-10700).

FeatureCore i5-1240PCore i7-10700
Socket
FCBGA1744
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+64%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics Iris Xe Graphics (Core i5-1240P) and UHD 630 (Core i7-10700) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240P targets Budget, Core i7-10700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240P rivals Ryzen 5 6600U; Core i7-10700 rivals Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i5-1240PCore i7-10700
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics
UHD 630
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-1240P was priced at $309, while the Core i7-10700 came in at $365. On launch pricing ($309 vs $365), Core i5-1240P was $56 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-1240P delivers 52.5 pts/$ vs 44.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-10700 — making the Core i5-1240P the 17.6% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-1240PCore i7-10700
MSRP
$309-15%
$365
Performance per Dollar
52.5+19%
44.0
Release Date
2022
2020

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