Home / Intel Core i7 / Intel Core i7-10710U: Performance and Specs

Intel Core i7-10710U

Intel Core i7-10710U in 2025: Is it Worth Buying a Laptop with this Processor?

Analysis of Performance, Battery Life, and Relevance for Modern Tasks

Architecture and Manufacturing Process: Why Is 14nm Still Alive?

The Intel Core i7-10710U processor, released in 2019 under the code name Comet Lake, is one of Intel's last chips built on a 14nm manufacturing process. Despite the market being dominated by 5nm and 3nm solutions (such as Apple M3 or AMD Ryzen 8000 series) by 2025, this CPU is still found in budget ultrabooks and business laptops.

Key Specifications:

- 6 Cores / 12 Threads — a rarity for mobile processors of its time.

- Base Clock Speed: 1.1 GHz, Max Turbo Boost: 4.9 GHz.

- Integrated Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (24 EU, up to 1.15 GHz).

- L3 Cache: 12 MB.

Architecture Features:

Comet Lake is optimized for multi-threaded tasks, but due to the 14nm process, it is less energy-efficient than modern counterparts. The integrated UHD graphics are suitable only for basic tasks: working with office applications, watching 4K videos, and playing undemanding games (such as Among Us or Stardew Valley). For video editing or 3D modeling, a discrete graphics card is necessary.

Power Consumption and TDP: Balancing Power and Battery Life

A TDP of 15W indicates it belongs to the category of energy-efficient processors for ultrabooks. However, in reality, under peak loads (for example, video rendering), consumption can reach 25–30W, necessitating an effective cooling system.

Heat Issues:

In thin laptops (e.g., Dell XPS 13 or Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon), throttling may occur under load—reducing clock speeds due to overheating. This is critical for prolonged tasks:

> For example, when exporting a 30-minute video in DaVinci Resolve, the processor can maintain Turbo Boost only for the first 5–7 minutes, after which the clock speed drops to 2.5–3 GHz.

Performance: What Can the i7-10710U Do in 2025?

Office Work and Multitasking:

- Running 30+ tabs in Chrome + Microsoft Teams + Excel — no lags.

- Rendering presentations in PowerPoint: 20–30% faster than 10th generation 4-core i5 processors.

Multimedia:

- Converting FullHD video in HandBrake: ~12–15 minutes for a 10-minute video (for comparison, the Ryzen 5 6600U handles it in 8–10 minutes).

- Editing photos in Lightroom: Processing 100 RAW images takes about 7–8 minutes.

Gaming:

- CS2: 40–50 FPS on low settings (720p).

- Fortnite: 25–30 FPS (720p, Performance mode).

- Comfortably playing AAA titles (like Cyberpunk 2077) will require an external graphics card via Thunderbolt 3.

Turbo Boost Mode:

Short bursts up to 4.9 GHz are useful for "burst" tasks: opening heavy applications, compiling code. However, under sustained loads (video editing, gaming), the clock stabilizes around 2.8–3.2 GHz.

Usage Scenarios: Who Is This Processor Suitable For?

1. Office Workers and Students: Working with documents, Zoom conferences, light presentation editing.

2. Freelancers: Photo editing, website development, programming.

3. Travelers: Compact ultrabooks weighing up to 1.3 kg (e.g., Huawei MateBook X Pro).

Not Suitable For:

- Gamers (except for cloud services like Xbox Cloud).

- Videographers working with 4K/8K footage.

- Engineers using AutoCAD or SolidWorks without discrete graphics.

Battery Life: How Long Will the Laptop Last?

With a battery capacity of 60 Wh (standard for ultrabooks from 2020–2022):

- Web surfing: 8–10 hours.

- 1080p video: 6–7 hours.

- Load (Photoshop + browser): 3–4 hours.

Power Saving Technologies:

- Intel Speed Shift: Dynamic frequency adjustment based on workload.

- Adaptix Thermal Framework: Intelligent temperature management for reduced power consumption.

Comparison with Competitors: AMD, Apple, and Previous Generations

1. AMD Ryzen 5 6600U (Zen 3+, 6 Cores):

- Better integration with RDNA 2 graphics (gaming on low settings at 1080p).

- 15–20% higher performance in multi-threaded tasks.

- Laptop prices: starting from $800 (e.g., Lenovo Yoga Slim 7).

2. Apple M1 (2020):

- Twice the battery life.

- Optimized for macOS, but limited compatibility with Windows software.

- Laptops with M1 in 2025 start at $600 (used options are cheaper, but this article only considers new devices).

3. Intel Core i7-1260P (12th generation):

- 40% higher performance in single-threaded tasks.

- Support for DDR5 and PCIe 4.0.

- Laptops from $900.

Conclusion: The i7-10710U lags behind modern counterparts but wins on price—devices with it can be found for $600–800.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- 6 cores for multitasking.

- Support for Thunderbolt 3.

- Affordable price in 2025.

Weaknesses:

- Outdated 14nm manufacturing process.

- Weak integrated graphics.

- Heating under load.

Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop

1. Type of Device: Ultrabooks or business laptops (HP EliteBook, Asus ZenBook).

2. Must-Have Specifications:

- 16 GB RAM (due to the resource-hungry modern browsers).

- SSD from 512 GB.

- Display with at least Full HD resolution.

3. Additional Options:

- Thunderbolt 3 for connecting an external graphics card.

- Anti-glare display.

Examples of Models in 2025:

- Acer Swift 3 (2024): $699, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD.

- Dell Inspiron 14: $749, touchscreen, stylus support.

Final Conclusion: Who Is the i7-10710U Suitable For?

This processor is a choice for those looking for an affordable laptop with good multi-threaded performance but are willing to accept compromises:

- Suitable for: Students, office workers, users who value portability and compatibility with Windows software.

- Not suitable for: Gamers, professionals in video production, those who value long battery life.

Key Benefits:

- Low price for a 6-core configuration.

- Proven reliability (architecture without “growing pains”).

- Wide peripheral support via Thunderbolt 3.

If your budget is limited to $700–800, and your tasks do not require extreme performance, a laptop with the i7-10710U will be a practical choice even in 2025. However, for future upgrades, it's better to consider models with processors based on a 5nm manufacturing process.

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.

i7-10710U

Code Name

Comet Lake

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).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

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.

4.70 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

12 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1528

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

15 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

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.

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.

DDR4-2666 | LPDDR3-2133 | LPDDR4-2933

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

64 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

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).

45.8 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.

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.

1.15 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

32 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.

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.

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.

4096 x 2304@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.

4096 x 2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

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 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

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.

12 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

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1289

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

3737

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1034

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

4095

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2377

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

9713

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

EPYC 7702P

1374 +6.6%

Core i5-10400H

1341 +4%

Core i7-10710U

1289

EPYC 7453

1255 -2.6%

Core i5-4690

1209 -6.2%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Xeon E3-1231 v3

4198 +12.3%

Core i5-10300H

3983 +6.6%

Core i7-10710U

3737

Opteron 6378

3530 -5.5%

Xeon E3-1220 v6

3311 -11.4%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Xeon Gold 6430

1075 +4%

Core i7-8665U

1056 +2.1%

Core i7-10710U

1034

Xeon E3-1285L v4

1011 -2.2%

Xeon W-1250TE

990 -4.3%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

EPYC 7351P

4563 +11.4%

Core i5-1038NG7

4325 +5.6%

Core i7-10710U

4095

Xeon E5-1630 v4

3888 -5.1%

Xeon E5-2603 v3

3740 -8.7%

Passmark CPU Single Core

EPYC 8534P

2444 +2.8%

Core i5-9600T

2416 +1.6%

Core i7-10710U

2377

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

2342 -1.5%

EPYC 9354

2310 -2.8%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Xeon E5-2660 v2

10590 +9%

Core i5-8600K

10205 +5.1%

Core i7-10710U

9713

Ryzen 5 3400G

9281 -4.4%

Ryzen 5 3400GE

8896 -8.4%