Core i5-1245U vs Core i7-10700T

Intel

Core i5-1245U

10 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-10700T

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i5-1245U vs Core i7-10700T 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 i5-1245U vs Core i7-10700T 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 i5-1245U vs Core i7-10700T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1245U

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W 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

  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i7-10700T

2020

Why buy it

  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1245U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (12,891 vs 12,964).
  • Launch MSRP is still $355 MSRP, while Core i5-1245U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-1245U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1245U better than Core i7-10700T?
Yes. Core i5-1245U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 i5-1245U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.3% 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 i5-1245U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-1245U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-10700T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-1245U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $355 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-10700T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (36.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1245U 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 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1245U vs Core i7-10700T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1245U

The Core i5-1245U 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 1.6 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): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,964 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i7-10700T

The Core i7-10700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 12,891 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-1245U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-10700T offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-1245U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1245U versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-10700T — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700T (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-1245U is built on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-1245U scores 12,964 against the Core i7-10700T's 12,891 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-1245U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,150 vs 1,531, a 33.6% lead for the Core i5-1245U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1245U vs 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i7-10700T.

FeatureCore i5-1245UCore i7-10700T
Cores / Threads
10 / 12+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
2 GHz+25%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark
12,964
12,891
Geekbench 6 Single
2,150+40%
1,531
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,814
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1245U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-10700T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-1245U versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700T — the Core i5-1245U supports 77.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-10700T 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 i5-1245U) vs 16 (Core i7-10700T) — the Core i5-1245U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-1245UCore i7-10700T
Socket
FCBGA1744
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5-5200+77%
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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1245U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10700T). Both include integrated graphics Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-1245U) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-10700T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1245U targets Business Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1245U rivals Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U.

FeatureCore i5-1245UCore i7-10700T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Business Laptop