Core i5-1240U vs Core i5-10600
Core i5-1240U
Core i5-10600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-1240U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-1240U | Core i5-10600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($159) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-1240U | Core i5-10600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($159) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-1240U and Core i5-10600
Core i5-1240U
The Core i5-1240U 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 1.1 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: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,387 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i5-10600
The Core i5-10600 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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: 13,573 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-1240U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-10600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-1240U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240U versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-10600 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-10600 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-1240U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-10600 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240U scores 13,387 against the Core i5-10600's 13,573 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-10600. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-1240U | Core i5-10600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 12+67% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.8 GHz+9% |
| Base Clock | 1.1 GHz | 3.3 GHz+200% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-U (2022) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 13,387 | 13,573+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,650 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-1240U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10600 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-1240U | Core i5-10600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1781 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5-5200 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 14 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1240U) / not specified (Core i5-10600). The Core i5-1240U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i5-10600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240U rivals Ryzen 5 5600U.
| Feature | Core i5-1240U | Core i5-10600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Thin & Light Laptop | — |
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