Core i7-4960HQ vs Core i7-10510U

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 i7-4960HQ 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 i7-4960HQ 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 i7-4960HQ

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10510U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,370 vs 6,408).
❌213.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10510U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-10510U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 47W, a 32W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i7-4960HQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Core i7-4960HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10510U better than Core i7-4960HQ?

Yes. Core i7-10510U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 17.7% 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 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-10510U is the better buy right now. Core i7-10510U comes in at an unclear MSRP at $409 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-10510U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013) 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 i7-4960HQ vs Core i7-10510U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4960HQ

The Core i7-4960HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $657.

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

Both the Core i7-4960HQ and Core i7-10510U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4960HQ versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10510U — a 25.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-10510U (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i7-4960HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-10510U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4960HQ scores 6,370 against the Core i7-10510U's 6,408 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-10510U. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4960HQ	Core i7-10510U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.9 GHz+29%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+44%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	6,370	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 i7-4960HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10510U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4960HQ	Core i7-10510U
Socket	BGA1364	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4960HQ) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10510U). The Core i7-10510U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i7-4960HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10510U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-10510U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.