Intel Core i7-2600K vs Intel Core i5-10300H

Intel Core i7-2600K

The Intel Core i7-2600K is a high-end quad-core desktop processor of the Sandy Bridge generation. It was announced at the beginning of 2011 and was the fastest CPU of this series at that time. However it does not offer all Sandy Bridge features, as vPro, VT-d and Trusted-Execution features are deactivated.

The four processor cores are able to handle 8 threads in parallel (due to Hyperthreading) and offer a base clock rate of 3.4 GHz. Under load, the cores can be overclocked automatically to up to 3.8 GHz with sufficient cooling:

• 3.8 GHz - 1 core load
• 3.7 GHz - 2 cores load
• 3.6 GHz - 3 cores load
• 3.5 GHz - 4 cores load

As a member of the "K-familiy" the i7-2600K is easily overclockable due to the open multiplicator.

The Die also includes an graphics card called Intel HD Graphics 3000 that clocks with 850 to 1350 MHz (also due to Turbo Boost). Furthermore, an integrated dual channel memory controller is able to handle up to 32 GB of DDR3-1333.

Intel Core i5-10300H

The Intel Core i5-10300H is a fast processor for laptops with four cores based on the Comet Lake-H series (4th generation of Skylake architecture). The processor clocks at between 2.5 and 4.5 GHz (up to 4.2 with 4 cores) and can execute up to eight threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in 14nm (14nm++) process. Compared to the predecessor, the Core i5-9300H from 2019, the 10300H is clocked slightly higher (+100 MHz Base, +400 MHz Boost) and supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM.

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced in the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

The Core i5-10300H supports no vPro, TXT or SIPP. These business features are available in the faster Core i5-10400H (2.6 - 4.6 GHz) that was released at a later date.

Performance

The average 10300H in our database matches the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H in multi-thread performance. While not a poor result per se, it is indicative of an entry-level H-class CPU that is unlikely to meet the needs of hardcore gamers, professional videographers and similar clientele.

Your mileage may vary depending on how high the CPU power limits are and how competent the cooling solution of your system is.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD630 in the Core i5-9300H. As a low-end solution it will probably only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power consumption

The Core i5 has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 45 W, a value that laptop makers are free to reduce slightly, 35 W being the lowest Intel-recommended value. Doing so would result in lower clock speeds and lower performance. Either way, a proper cooling solution is a must for a CPU like this.

The i5-10300H is manufactured on one of the old 14 nm Intel processes for lower-than-average, as of late 2022, energy efficiency.