Core i5-2310 vs Core i7-10510Y

Intel

Core i5-2310

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-10510Y

4 Cores8 Thrd512 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2019
Core family
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Core i5-2310 vs Core i7-10510Y 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 i5-2310 vs Core i7-10510Y 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 i5-2310 vs Core i7-10510Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2310

2011

Why buy it

  • Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.
  • 60% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-10510Y.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10510Y across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,740 vs 2,960).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while Core i7-10510Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-10510Y

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +16.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2310.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10510Y better than Core i5-2310?
Yes. Core i7-10510Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 70.1% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 i7-10510Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.3% 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 i7-10510Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 70.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-10510Y is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-10510Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2310 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-10510Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2310 vs Core i7-10510Y Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-2310

The Core i5-2310 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,664 points. Launch price was $150.

Intel

Core i7-10510Y

The Core i7-10510Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-Y (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1377. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,631 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-2310 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-10510Y's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2310 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-10510Y — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-10510Y (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-2310 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-10510Y uses Comet Lake-Y (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2310 scores 3,664 against the Core i7-10510Y's 3,631 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-2310. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 565 vs 1,270, a 76.8% lead for the Core i7-10510Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,740 vs 2,960 (51.9% advantage for the Core i7-10510Y). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2310 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-10510Y.

FeatureCore i5-2310Core i7-10510Y
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
4.5 GHz+41%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+142%
1.2 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Comet Lake-Y (2019)
PassMark
3,664
3,631
Geekbench 6 Single
565
1,270+125%
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,740
2,960+70%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2310 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-10510Y uses UTFCBGA1377 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2310 versus LPDDR3-2133 on the Core i7-10510Y — the Core i7-10510Y supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2310 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2310) vs 10 (Core i7-10510Y) — the Core i5-2310 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2310) and Comet Lake-Y (Core i7-10510Y).

FeatureCore i5-2310Core i7-10510Y
Socket
LGA1155
UTFCBGA1377
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
LPDDR3-2133+60%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB+100%
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+60%
10
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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-2310) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10510Y). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2310) and Intel UHD Graphics 617 (Core i7-10510Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10510Y targets Ultrabook/Tablet.

FeatureCore i5-2310Core i7-10510Y
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 2000
Intel UHD Graphics 617
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
Yes
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Ultrabook/Tablet