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Intel Core i5-10310Y

Intel Core i5-10310Y

Intel Core i5-10310Y: Compact Energy Efficiency for Mobile Tasks

April 2025

Although the Intel Core i5-10310Y was released back in 2019, it can still be found in budget ultrabooks and hybrid devices. This processor is aimed at users for whom battery life and portability are paramount over maximum performance. Let's examine how it stacks up against modern solutions and who it may suit in 2025.

Architecture and Process Technology: 14 nm in the Era of 5 nm

Codename: Amber Lake Y

Process Technology: 14 nm (optimized version 14++ nm)

Cores/Threads: 4 cores, 8 threads (Hyper-Threading)

Frequencies: Base — 1.0 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 4.1 GHz

Cache: 6 MB L3

Integrated Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics for the 10th generation (24 EU, 300–1050 MHz)

The processor is designed for devices with passive cooling or minimalist cooling systems. The Amber Lake Y architecture is optimized for reduced power consumption but is based on outdated 14 nm process technology. In comparison, the modern Intel 13th generation processors (e.g., Core i5-1335U) use 10 nm Enhanced SuperFin, while AMD's Ryzen 5 7540U employs 5 nm technology.

iGPU Features:

The UHD integrated graphics can handle 4K video decoding (HEVC, VP9) and run less demanding games like Among Us or Stardew Valley on low settings. However, for modern projects like Hogwarts Legacy, even at minimal settings, the performance may fall short.

Power Consumption and TDP: 7 W for Thin Devices

TDP (Thermal Design Power): 7 W

Operating Modes: cTDP Down (5.5 W) and cTDP Up (9 W)

The low TDP allows the processor to be used in ultra-thin laptops (e.g., Lenovo Yoga Slim 7) and convertible tablets without active cooling. However, under load (e.g., video rendering), the chip can momentarily consume up to 12 W, leading to throttling in compact cases.

Power Saving Technologies:

- Intel Speed Shift: Dynamic frequency management for quick transitions between states.

- Adaptix Thermal Framework: Optimizes the thermal profile for specific devices.

Performance: Modest, but Sufficient for Basic Tasks

Office Tasks:

- Running Microsoft Office, a browser with 10+ tabs, and Zoom conferences— the processor handles it without lag.

- PCMark 10 Test: ~3200 points (for comparison, the Ryzen 5 5500U scores ~4800).

Multimedia:

- Editing 1080p video in DaVinci Resolve is possible, but rendering a 5-minute clip will take 15–20 minutes.

- Streaming 4K video on YouTube: stable, thanks to hardware decoding.

Gaming:

- CS:GO: 720p, low settings — 40–50 FPS (with dips to 25 FPS in turbo mode).

- Fortnite: 720p, low settings — 20–30 FPS (practically unacceptable).

Turbo Boost Mode:

The maximum frequency of 4.1 GHz activates on 1–2 cores for 10–15 seconds. For example, when opening a “heavy” Excel file, the system accelerates instantly, but under sustained load (PDF export), the frequency drops to 2.5–3 GHz.

Usage Scenarios: Who is the i5-10310Y Designed For?

1. Students and Office Workers: Document processing, online learning, web surfing.

2. Travelers: Compact laptops weighing from 1 kg (e.g., HP Spectre x360 13) with battery life of 10–12 hours.

3. Secondary Devices: As a supplement to the primary PC for on-the-go tasks.

Not Suitable For:

- Gamers and video bloggers.

- Engineers working with CAD software.

Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours in Ideal Conditions

Laptops based on the i5-10310Y are equipped with batteries ranging from 40–60 Wh. With moderate use (brightness 50%, Wi-Fi, browsing):

- 8–10 hours — typical result.

- Energy Saving: The Windows “Power Saving” mode + disabling Turbo Boost extends usage to 12 hours.

Tip: Choose devices with IPS or OLED screens with low energy consumption (e.g., Dell XPS 13 7390).

Comparison with Competitors: Who’s Better in 2025?

1. AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4 cores, 8 threads, 6 W):

- Better graphics (Radeon 610M).

- Price of comparable laptops: $650–$800.

2. Apple M1 (8 cores, 7 nm):

- Twice the performance in single-threaded tasks.

- macOS devices are pricier ($900+), but battery life can be up to 18 hours.

3. Intel Core i5-1130G7 (10 nm, Tiger Lake):

- More modern architecture, Xe Graphics (80 EU).

- Price: $700–$850.

Conclusion: The i5-10310Y lags behind modern counterparts but is cheaper. For instance, laptops with it start at $550, while those with the Ryzen 3 7320U start at $650.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Record-low power consumption.

- Sufficient for everyday tasks.

- Low device prices.

Weaknesses:

- Outdated 14 nm process technology.

- Weak graphics.

- Limited performance under load.

Recommendations for Laptop Selection

1. Device Type: Ultrabooks (Asus ZenBook 13), convertibles (Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga).

2. Minimum Specifications:

- 8 GB RAM (better to have 16 GB for multitasking).

- 256 GB SSD (NVMe).

- Screen resolution of at least Full HD.

3. Prices in 2025: $550–$750 for new models.

Advice: Avoid versions with 4 GB of RAM and HDDs—such systems will lag even in a browser.

Final Conclusion: Who is the Core i5-10310Y Suitable For?

This processor is ideal for those who:

- Are looking for an affordable laptop for studying or text processing.

- Value lightweight and long battery life.

- Do not plan on running “heavy” applications.

Key Benefits:

- Lower price compared to modern counterparts.

- Proven reliability (architecture without failures).

- Compatibility with Windows 11 and Linux.

If your budget is limited to $600, and tasks are basic, the i5-10310Y is a reasonable option. However, for future upgrades or complex tasks, it’s better to consider models based on Ryzen 5 or Core i5 of the 12th generation.

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Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Mobile
Launch Date
August 2019
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
i5-10310Y
Code Name
Amber Lake Y

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
4
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
8
Basic Frequency
1.10 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
4.10 GHz
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.
2.0
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
?
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.
Yes
L3 Cache
6 MB
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
UTFCBGA1377
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14 nm
TDP
7 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
3.0
Number of PCI Express Lanes
?
A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.
10
Intel 64
?
Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.
Yes
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
64-bit
PCI Express Configurations
?
PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.
1x4 | 2x2 | 1x2+2x1 and 4x1

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
LPDDR3-2133 | DDR3L-1600
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
16 GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
Bus Speed
4 GT/s
Max Memory Bandwidth
?
Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).
33.33 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported
?
ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.
No

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
Intel® UHD Graphics for 10th Gen Intel® Processors
Graphics Base Frequency
?
Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.
300 MHz
Graphics Frequency
?
Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.
1.05 GHz
Graphics Video Max Memory
16 GB
4K Support
Yes | at 60Hz
DirectX Support
?
DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.
12
Execution Units
?
The Execution Unit is the foundational building block of Intel’s graphics architecture. Execution Units are compute processors optimized for simultaneous Multi-Threading for high throughput compute power.
24
Max Resolution (HDMI)
?
Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096 x 2304@24Hz
Max Resolution (DP)
?
Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
3840 x 2160@60Hz
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)
?
Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.
3840 x 2160@60Hz
Number of Displays Supported
3
Graphics Output
?
Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.
eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.
Yes
Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)
?
Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.
Intel® SSE4.1
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
?
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.
Yes
Execute Disable Bit
?
Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.
Yes
Cache
?
CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.
6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Intel AES New Instructions
?
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Yes
Intel Boot Guard
?
Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.
Yes
Intel Clear Video HD Technology
?
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.
Yes
Intel Clear Video Technology
Yes
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
?
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.
Yes
Intel Flex Memory Access
Yes
Intel OS Guard
Yes
OpenGL Support
?
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
4.5
Intel Quick Sync Video
?
Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.
Yes