Intel i5-10500T Performance Test: Is the Energy-Efficient Processor Worth the Money?

The i5-10500t processor from Intel is known for its impressive energy efficiency with a TDP of only 35W. This energy-efficient processor still offers 6 cores and 12 threads, making it interesting for users who value low power consumption.

Additionally, the i5-10500t has a base clock speed of 2.30 GHz that can be boosted up to 3.80 GHz. According to extensive testing, it has a CPU Mark value of 10,182, which places it in 1329th place out of 5126 tested processors. Intel® Core™ i5-10500T - Refurbished models offer a CPU Mark per dollar value of 101.83, which suggests a fairly good price-to-performance ratio. However, comparisons with newer models such as the i5-13420H show that it has a 35% lower effective speed than average.

In this article, we review the i5-10500t's performance through thorough testing, analyze its strengths and weaknesses, and help you decide if this processor is worth the money for your specific needs.

Technical Overview of Intel Core i5-10500T

The Intel Core i5-10500T was launched on May 1, 2020 as part of Intel's 10th generation processors, codenamed Comet Lake. This processor is specifically designed for desktop computers but with a focus on energy efficiency.

The processor is built for the LGA-1200 socket (also called Socket H5) and is based on the x86-64 architecture. It stands out for its low power consumption while offering respectable performance. With a configurable TDP, it can be adjusted from the default value of 35W down to 25W for even better energy efficiency. At the lower TDP setting, the base frequency is automatically adjusted to 1.70 GHz.

The core arrangement is impressive considering the energy profile. The processor has 6 physical cores (hexa-core) with support for Hyper-Threading, providing a total of 12 threads for parallel processing. The base clock frequency is 2.3 GHz, but thanks to Turbo Boost technology it can reach up to 3.8 GHz during demanding workloads.

In terms of memory support, the i5-10500T supports DDR4-2666 memory technology and can handle up to 128GB of RAM[19]. This provides good conditions for multitasking and memory-intensive applications.

One of the processor's strengths is its generous cache memory. It comes with 12MB of Intel Smart Cache (L3), which helps reduce response times and improve system responsiveness.

Furthermore, the i5-10500T includes an integrated graphics processor in the form of Intel UHD Graphics 630. This graphics processor has a base frequency of 350 MHz that can be boosted up to 1.15 GHz. It supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5 and can handle up to three displays simultaneously. For those who value high-resolution media, it offers 4K support at 60Hz and has maximum resolutions of:

• 4096 x 2160 at 30Hz (HDMI)
• 4096 x 2304 at 60Hz (DisplayPort)
• 4096 x 2304 at 60Hz (eDP - integrated flat panel)

In conclusion, the i5-10500T offers a balanced combination of performance and energy efficiency, making it an attractive option for compact systems or energy-conscious users.

Benchmark results and performance analysis

Benchmark results from PassMark CPU Mark show that the i5-10500T performs well considering its energy-efficient design. The processor achieves a multi-threaded score of 10,182 points, which places it in 1329th place among 5,126 tested processors. In single-thread performance, it reaches 2,290 points, which gives it 1211th place in the same ranking.

Compared to similar processors, the i5-10500T shows both strengths and weaknesses. It outperforms the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G by about 10.4% in the PassMark CPU Mark. However, it lags behind the Intel Core i5-10400F which has 19.2% better performance. and the Intel Core i5-10500 which shows 30% higher performance.

In the GeekBench 5 tests, the i5-10500T achieves 1,284 points in single-core and 4,653 points in multi-core. This represents a 13% improvement in single-core and 28.1% in multi-core compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G. The Cinebench R20 single-core test places the processor at 396 points, which is comparable to the Intel Core i5-8300H.

The processor's detailed test results show the following performance:

• Integer Math: 36,247 MOps/Sec
• Floating Point Math: 22,800 MOps/Sec
• Find prime numbers: 27 million prime numbers/Sec
• Random String Sorting: 20,244 thousand strings/Sec
• Data encryption: 3,458 MBytes/Sec
• Data compression: 160 149 KBytes/Sec
• Physics: 548 Frames/Sec
• Extended instructions: 10,062 million matrices/Sec

When compared to regular desktop processors, the i5-10500T's positioning becomes clear. It performs significantly lower than top models like the Intel Core i9-13900K (58,697 points) or the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (39,032 points), but this is expected given its lower TDP.

The processor's CPU Mark/Price ratio is 101.83, indicating relatively good value for money, especially for energy-conscious users. However, it should be noted that newer processors in the same price range often offer better performance for most workloads, but with higher power consumption.

Overall, the benchmark results show that the i5-10500T offers balanced performance for its low power requirements, but users who prioritize pure computing power over energy efficiency should consider other options.

Applications and real-world performance

In real-world usage scenarios, we find the i5-10500T primarily in compact business computers and micro-PC systems. This processor is often used in performance-oriented but energy-efficient business PCs such as the Dell OptiPlex 3090, Dell OptiPlex 3080, and HP ProDesk 600 G6.

Above all, market data shows that the i5-10500T is popular in compact systems where energy efficiency is a priority. For example, the Dell OptiPlex 3090 with this processor offers "excellent performance for multitasking and demanding tasks" in corporate environments. These systems are typically configured with 8-16GB of RAM and SSD storage ranging from 128GB to 512GB.

When it comes to everyday use, the processor performs well for office work, document management, and web browsing. With its integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics, it is "sufficient for office work, streaming, and light graphics processing", making it ideal for businesses that need reliable computers with low power consumption.

For gaming enthusiasts, tests show mixed results. With the integrated graphics, the i5-10500T achieves the following average frame rates:

• Valorant: 81 FPS with 16GB RAM
• CS2: 16 FPS with 32GB RAM
• Roblox: 37 FPS with 32GB RAM
• Minecraft: 57-101 FPS with 16GB RAM

Thus, gaming performance is significantly improved with a dedicated graphics card. With the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER, the processor can handle more demanding titles like Elden Ring at 36 FPS, showing that the i5-10500T, despite its low TDP, can serve as a basic gaming platform when paired with suitable graphics.

However, the processor is not optimal for newer game titles according to benchmark data which shows that it "should be able to play most games, but may be a bottleneck on newer releases". With a relative gaming score of only 1658, it lags far behind more modern processors.

In conclusion, the i5-10500T performs best in its intended niche: energy-efficient business PCs and compact systems where low power consumption is prioritized over maximum performance. For users with moderate performance requirements, it offers a balanced combination of efficiency and capacity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Intel i5-10500T offers an impressive balance between performance and energy efficiency. This processor, with its low TDP of only 35W, is clearly not intended for high-performance gaming rigs or heavy video editing. Instead, it excels in compact business PCs and energy-efficient systems where operational efficiency is prioritized over raw power.

The benchmark tests show that the i5-10500T performs surprisingly well considering its power profile. It achieves a respectable CPU Mark value of 10,182 points and offers decent multitasking capabilities thanks to its 6 cores and 12 threads. However, it should be noted that newer processors, even in the same price range, generally offer better performance - but usually with higher power consumption.

Our tests confirm that the processor performs excellently for everyday office tasks, web browsing, and document management. The integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics are sufficient for basic multimedia use, but for modern gaming, a dedicated graphics card is definitely required. Even then, the processor will be a bottleneck for the latest titles.

Who is the i5-10500T for? Mainly for business users and individuals who value low power consumption and quiet operation over maximum performance. It is particularly suitable for compact builds where heat generation and energy requirements must be kept to a minimum. However, gaming enthusiasts and users with demanding workloads should probably consider more powerful alternatives.

Finally, the value for money is relatively good with a CPU Mark/Price ratio of 101.83, making the i5-10500T an attractive choice for those specific uses where energy efficiency is crucial. Despite being released in 2020, it remains a suitable processor for specific niches - but avoid it if you prioritize pure computing power over efficiency.

Buy refurbished Intel i5-10500T from us and save money click here