Core i5-1335U vs Core i7-10870H

Intel

Core i5-1335U

10 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-10870H

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i5-1335U vs Core i7-10870H 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 i5-1335U vs Core i7-10870H 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 i5-1335U vs Core i7-10870H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1335U

2023

Why buy it

  • +94.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,977 vs 9,594).

Core i7-10870H

2020

Why buy it

  • +6.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,228 vs 2,389).
  • Launch MSRP is still $417 MSRP, while Core i5-1335U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.
  • Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i5-1335U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1335U better than Core i7-10870H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1335U is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10870H pulls ahead with 6.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10870H is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-1335U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-1335U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $417 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-10870H 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 0.9% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-1335U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1335U vs Core i7-10870H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1335U

The Core i5-1335U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 14,093 points. Launch price was $340.

Intel

Core i7-10870H

The Core i7-10870H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 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: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,087 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-1335U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-10870H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-1335U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-1335U versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10870H — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-10870H (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-1335U uses the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-10870H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1335U scores 14,093 against the Core i7-10870H's 14,087 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-1335U. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,977 vs 9,594 (6.6% advantage for the Core i7-10870H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,389 vs 1,228, a 64.2% lead for the Core i5-1335U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,456 vs 6,822 (32.4% advantage for the Core i5-1335U). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-1335UCore i7-10870H
Cores / Threads
10 / 12+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock
1.3 GHz
2.2 GHz+69%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-U (2023)
Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark
14,093
14,087
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,977
9,594+7%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,389+95%
1,228
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,456+39%
6,822
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1335U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10870H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-6400 on the Core i5-1335U versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10870H — the Core i5-1335U supports 118.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-10870H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-1335U) vs 16 (Core i7-10870H) — the Core i5-1335U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i5-1335U) and WM490,HM470,QM480 (Core i7-10870H).

FeatureCore i5-1335UCore i7-10870H
Socket
FCBGA1744
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5-6400+118%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB
128 GB+33%
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, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU) (Core i5-1335U) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-10870H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1335U targets Productivity, Core i7-10870H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-1335U rivals Ryzen 5 7535U; Core i7-10870H rivals Ryzen 7 4800H.

FeatureCore i5-1335UCore i7-10870H
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Productivity
Gaming