Core i5-8265U vs Core i5-10310U

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 i5-8265U vs Core i5-10310U 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 i5-8265U vs Core i5-10310U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8265U

2018

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10310U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,812 vs 5,864).
❌1400% higher power demand at 15W vs 1W.

Core i5-10310U

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 15W, a 14W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10310U better than Core i5-8265U?

Yes. Core i5-10310U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% 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 i5-10310U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.3% 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 i5-10310U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-10310U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-10310U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-10310U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8265U vs Core i5-10310U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8265U

The Core i5-8265U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,812 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i5-10310U

The Core i5-10310U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,864 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8265U and Core i5-10310U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8265U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-10310U — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i5-10310U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-8265U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-10310U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8265U scores 5,812 against the Core i5-10310U's 5,864 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-10310U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,200 vs 1,284, a 6.8% lead for the Core i5-10310U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8265U vs 6 MB on the Core i5-10310U.

Feature	Core i5-8265U	Core i5-10310U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.4 GHz+13%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.7 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	5,812	5,864
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	1,284+7%
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,500	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1528 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-8265U versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10310U — the Core i5-10310U 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.

Feature	Core i5-8265U	Core i5-10310U
Socket	FCBGA1528	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, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 620 (Core i5-8265U) and UHD Graphics for 10th Gen (Core i5-10310U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8265U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-10310U targets Business Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10310U rivals Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U.

Feature	Core i5-8265U	Core i5-10310U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 620	UHD Graphics for 10th Gen
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Business Laptop