Core i3-2102 vs Core M-5Y51

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 i3-2102 vs Core M-5Y51 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 i3-2102 vs Core M-5Y51: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2102

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $164 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 140.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.3 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Core M-5Y51 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,029 vs 2,030).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core M-5Y51

2014

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 17.3 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2102 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2102.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2102 better than Core M-5Y51?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2102 is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y51 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core M-5Y51 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, Core M-5Y51 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% 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?

Core i3-2102 is the better buy right now. Core i3-2102 comes in $164 cheaper on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core M-5Y51 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 140.1% better value on MSRP (17.3 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core M-5Y51 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011), 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.

Core i3-2102 vs Core M-5Y51 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2102

The Core i3-2102 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,029 points. Launch price was $69.

Core M-5Y51

The Core M-5Y51 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,030 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2102 and Core M-5Y51 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2102 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core M-5Y51 — a 17.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-2102 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-2102 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core M-5Y51 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2102 scores 2,029 against the Core M-5Y51's 2,030 — a 0% lead for the Core M-5Y51. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2102 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y51.

Feature	Core i3-2102	Core M-5Y51
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+19%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+182%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	2,029	2,030
Geekbench 6 Single	515	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,082	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2102 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core M-5Y51 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-2102	Core M-5Y51
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-2102) / not specified (Core M-5Y51). The Core i3-2102 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Core M-5Y51 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2102 targets Office Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-2102	Core M-5Y51
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Office Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-2102 was priced at $117, while the Core M-5Y51 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($117 vs $281), Core i3-2102 was $164 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2102 delivers 17.3 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Core M-5Y51 — making the Core i3-2102 the 82.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-2102	Core M-5Y51
MSRP	$117-58%	$281
Performance per Dollar	17.3+140%	7.2
Release Date	2011	2014

Search Core i3-2102 on Amazon

Search Core M-5Y51 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.