Core i3-5005U vs Core i5-655K

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 i3-5005U vs Core i5-655K 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 i3-5005U vs Core i5-655K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-5005U

2015

Why buy it

✅+10.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,227 vs 1,250).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.

Core i5-655K

2010

Why buy it

✅+1.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (560 vs 617).
❌Launch MSRP is still $216 MSRP, while Core i3-5005U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-655K better than Core i3-5005U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-5005U is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-655K pulls ahead with 1.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-655K 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 i5-655K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 i5-655K is the better buy right now. Core i5-655K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $216 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.9% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i3-5005U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-5005U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-5005U vs Core i5-655K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-5005U

The Core i3-5005U 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 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,012 points. Launch price was $275.

Core i5-655K

The Core i5-655K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,017 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5005U and Core i5-655K share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-5005U versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-655K — a 53.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-655K (base: 2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-5005U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-655K uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5005U scores 2,012 against the Core i5-655K's 2,017 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-655K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 617 vs 560, a 9.7% lead for the Core i3-5005U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,227 vs 1,250 (1.9% advantage for the Core i5-655K). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5005U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-655K.

Feature	Core i3-5005U	Core i5-655K
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.46 GHz+73%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.2 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,012	2,017
Geekbench 6 Single	617+10%	560
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,227	1,250+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5005U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-655K uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5005U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-655K — the Core i3-5005U supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-5005U) vs 16 (Core i5-655K) — the Core i5-655K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Broadwell-U (Core i3-5005U) and H55,H57,P55 (Core i5-655K).

Feature	Core i3-5005U	Core i5-655K
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i3-5005U) vs VT-x (Core i5-655K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5005U) and Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Core i5-655K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-655K targets Desktop.