Core i7-10700T vs Ryzen 5 5500U

Intel

Core i7-10700T

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2020
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5500U

6 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4 GHz2021

Core i7-10700T vs Ryzen 5 5500U 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 i7-10700T vs Ryzen 5 5500U 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 i7-10700T vs Ryzen 5 5500U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-10700T

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $355 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 5500U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Ryzen 5 5500U

2021

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (5,200 vs 6,814).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700T better than Ryzen 5 5500U?
Yes. Core i7-10700T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 31% better Geekbench multi-core, and 1.2% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-10700T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.0% 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 i7-10700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 31% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-10700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-10700T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $355 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (36.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 5500U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-10700T vs Ryzen 5 5500U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-10700T

The Core i7-10700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 12,891 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5500U

The Ryzen 5 5500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,736 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i7-10700T packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5500U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-10700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-10700T versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500U — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700T (base: 2 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5500U is built on the Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-10700T scores 12,891 against the Ryzen 5 5500U's 12,736 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-10700T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,531 vs 1,100, a 32.8% lead for the Core i7-10700T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,814 vs 5,200 (26.9% advantage for the Core i7-10700T). L3 cache: 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i7-10700T vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5500U.

FeatureCore i7-10700TRyzen 5 5500U
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz+13%
4 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.1 GHz+5%
L3 Cache
16 MB Intel® Smart Cache+100%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021)
PassMark
12,891+1%
12,736
Cinebench R23 Multi
6,900
Geekbench 6 Single
1,531+39%
1,100
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,814+31%
5,200
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5500U uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700T versus DDR4 3200 MHz on the Ryzen 5 5500U — the Ryzen 5 5500U supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-10700T supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-10700T) vs 12 (Ryzen 5 5500U) — the Core i7-10700T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i7-10700T) and FP6 (Ryzen 5 5500U).

FeatureCore i7-10700TRyzen 5 5500U
Socket
LGA1200
FP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR4 3200 MHz+9%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+33%
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10700T) vs true (Ryzen 5 5500U). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-10700T) and AMD Radeon Graphics (Vega 7) (Ryzen 5 5500U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5500U targets Mobile.

FeatureCore i7-10700TRyzen 5 5500U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
AMD Radeon Graphics (Vega 7)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
true
Target Use
Mobile