Core i7-10870H vs Core i9-10900TE

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 i7-10870H vs Core i9-10900TE 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 i7-10870H vs Core i9-10900TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-10870H

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-10900TE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,087 vs 14,159).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.8 vs 45.8 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.

Core i9-10900TE

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $108 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 45.8 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10870H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10870H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900TE better than Core i7-10870H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-10870H is ahead with a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10900TE pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i9-10900TE also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10900TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-10900TE is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900TE comes in $108 cheaper on MSRP at $309 MSRP versus $417 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-10870H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 35.6% better value on MSRP (45.8 vs 33.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i9-10900TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-10870H vs Core i9-10900TE Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-10870H

The Core i7-10870H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,087 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i9-10900TE

The Core i9-10900TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,159 points. Launch price was $488.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-10870H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-10900TE offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900TE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10870H versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-10900TE — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-10870H (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i7-10870H uses the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-10900TE uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10870H scores 14,087 against the Core i9-10900TE's 14,159 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-10900TE. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-10870H vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900TE.

Feature	Core i7-10870H	Core i9-10900TE
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+7%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+22%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-H (2020)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	14,087	14,159
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,594	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,228	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,822	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10870H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-10900TE uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-10870H	Core i9-10900TE
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-10870H) / not specified (Core i9-10900TE). The Core i7-10870H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i9-10900TE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10870H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-10870H rivals Ryzen 7 4800H.

Feature	Core i7-10870H	Core i9-10900TE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-10870H was priced at $417, while the Core i9-10900TE came in at $309. On launch pricing ($417 vs $309), Core i9-10900TE was $108 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10870H delivers 33.8 pts/$ vs 45.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900TE — making the Core i9-10900TE the 30.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-10870H	Core i9-10900TE
MSRP	$417	$309-26%
Performance per Dollar	33.8	45.8+36%
Release Date	2020	2020

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