Core i5-8259U vs Core i7-10810U

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 i5-8259U vs Core i7-10810U 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 i5-8259U vs Core i7-10810U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8259U

2018

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10810U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,843 vs 7,987).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i7-10810U

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 28W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10810U better than Core i5-8259U?

Yes. Core i7-10810U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 24.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.8% 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 i7-10810U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 24.4% 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 i7-10810U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-10810U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-10810U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-10810U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8259U vs Core i7-10810U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8259U

The Core i5-8259U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 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: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,843 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i7-10810U

The Core i7-10810U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 7,987 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8259U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-10810U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-10810U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-8259U versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10810U — a 25.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-10810U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-8259U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-10810U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8259U scores 7,843 against the Core i7-10810U's 7,987 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i7-10810U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8259U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-10810U.

Feature	Core i5-8259U	Core i7-10810U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.9 GHz+29%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+109%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	7,843	7,987+2%