3015e vs Core i3-5157U

3015e vs Core i3-5157U Performance Spectrum

3015e

2 / 4

2,618

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-5157U

2 / 4

2,593

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

3015e vs Core i3-5157U 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.

3015e vs Core i3-5157U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

3015e

2020

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 512W, a 511W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-5157U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i3-5157U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,593 vs 2,618).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌51100% higher power demand at 512W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is 3015e better than Core i3-5157U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-5157U is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, 3015e pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. 3015e also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, 3015e is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

3015e still makes the most sense overall. 3015e comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark.

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

3015e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

3015e vs Core i3-5157U Technical Specifications

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

3015e

The 3015e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Pollock (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,618 points. Launch price was $50.

Core i3-5157U

The Core i3-5157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,593 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the 3015e and Core i3-5157U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the 3015e versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-5157U — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-5157U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The 3015e uses the Pollock (Zen) (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-5157U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the 3015e scores 2,618 against the Core i3-5157U's 2,593 — a 1% lead for the 3015e. L3 cache: 4 MB on the 3015e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5157U.

Feature	3015e	Core i3-5157U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+108%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Pollock (Zen) (2020)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,618	2,593
Geekbench 6 Single	—	793

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Memory & Platform

The 3015e uses the FT5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-5157U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the 3015e versus LPDDR3-1866 on the Core i3-5157U — the Core i3-5157U supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (3015e) vs 2 (Core i3-5157U). PCIe lanes: 8 (3015e) vs 12 (Core i3-5157U) — the Core i3-5157U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	3015e	Core i3-5157U
Socket	FT5	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	LPDDR3-1866+17%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	12+50%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (3015e) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5157U). Both include integrated graphics — Vega 3 (3015e) and Iris Graphics 6100 (Core i3-5157U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5157U targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: 3015e rivals Celeron N4120; Core i3-5157U rivals A12-8800B.