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 i5-7500 vs Core i7-10510U 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 i5-7500 vs Core i7-10510U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7500

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $210 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Delivers 104.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.0 vs 15.7 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10510U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,362 vs 6,408).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i7-10510U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.7 vs 32.0 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10510U better than Core i5-7500?

Yes. Core i7-10510U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 26.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 i7-10510U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 26.2% 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 i7-10510U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, 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 i7-10510U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-10510U comes in 105.5% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 26.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-7500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 104.1% better value on paper (32.0 vs 15.7 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-10510U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017), 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 i5-7500 vs Core i7-10510U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7500

The Core i5-7500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,362 points. Launch price was $202.

Core i7-10510U

The Core i7-10510U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,408 points. Launch price was $409.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-10510U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7500 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10510U — a 25.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-10510U (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-7500 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-10510U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7500 scores 6,362 against the Core i7-10510U's 6,408 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-10510U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-10510U.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Core i7-10510U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.9 GHz+29%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+89%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	6,362	6,408
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,866
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,300

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10510U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7500 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-10510U — the Core i7-10510U supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 200 series,Intel 100 series (Core i5-7500) and 400-series (Core i7-10510U).

Feature	Core i5-7500	Core i7-10510U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2666+11%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7500) and UHD Graphics (Core i7-10510U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7500 targets Desktop, Core i7-10510U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-10510U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Core i7-10510U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	Productivity

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7500 was priced at $199, while the Core i7-10510U came in at $409. On launch pricing ($199 vs $409), Core i5-7500 was $210 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7500 delivers 32.0 pts/$ vs 15.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-10510U — making the Core i5-7500 the 68.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Core i7-10510U
MSRP	$199-51%	$409
Performance per Dollar	32.0+104%	15.7
Release Date	2017	2019

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