Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-7442EQ

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.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-7442EQ 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.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-7442EQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1005G1

2019

Why buy it

✅+9.1% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 15W instead of 25W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (603 vs 728).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-7442EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+20.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,387 vs 2,605).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i3-1005G1 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌66.7% higher power demand at 25W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1005G1 better than Core i5-7442EQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7442EQ is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1005G1 pulls ahead with 9.1% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-7442EQ also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1005G1 is the stronger fit. You are getting 9.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-1005G1 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1005G1 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 9.1% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-7442EQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older DDR4-era platform.

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

Core i3-1005G1 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-7442EQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1005G1

The Core i3-1005G1 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,827 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-7442EQ

The Core i5-7442EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,834 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1005G1 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-7442EQ offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-7442EQ has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-1005G1 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i5-7442EQ — a 47.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-1005G1. The Core i3-1005G1 uses the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-7442EQ uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1005G1 scores 4,827 against the Core i5-7442EQ's 4,834 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-7442EQ. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 603 vs 728, a 18.8% lead for the Core i5-7442EQ that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,605 vs 2,387 (8.7% advantage for the Core i3-1005G1). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-1005G1 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-7442EQ.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	Core i5-7442EQ
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+62%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,827	4,834
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,319	—
Geekbench 6 Single	603	728+21%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,605+9%	2,387

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i3-1005G1 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7442EQ — the Core i3-1005G1 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Ice Lake-U SoC (Core i3-1005G1) and QM175,HM175,CM238 (Core i5-7442EQ).

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	Core i5-7442EQ
Socket	FCBGA1526	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4-3733+33%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i3-1005G1 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i3-1005G1) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7442EQ). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Ice Lake) (Core i3-1005G1) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7442EQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1005G1 targets Thin-and-light, Core i5-7442EQ targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	Core i5-7442EQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics (Ice Lake)	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x / VT-d / EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Thin-and-light	Embedded