Core i3-5015U vs Core i7-3689Y

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 i3-5015U vs Core i7-3689Y 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 i3-5015U vs Core i7-3689Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-5015U

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-3689Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,967 vs 1,990).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5015U better than Core i7-3689Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3689Y is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5015U pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i7-3689Y 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 i3-5015U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-5015U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-5015U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-5015U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) 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 i3-5015U vs Core i7-3689Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-5015U

The Core i3-5015U 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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: 1,990 points. Launch price was $275.

Core i7-3689Y

The Core i7-3689Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,967 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5015U and Core i7-3689Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5015U versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-3689Y — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-3689Y (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-5015U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3689Y uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5015U scores 1,990 against the Core i7-3689Y's 1,967 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-5015U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5015U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3689Y.

Feature	Core i3-5015U	Core i7-3689Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+40%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,990+1%	1,967
Geekbench 6 Single	—	507
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,100

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5015U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3689Y uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i7-3689Y supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-5015U) vs 16 (Core i7-3689Y) — the Core i7-3689Y offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-5015U	Core i7-3689Y
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5015U) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3689Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5015U targets Mobile, Core i7-3689Y targets Ultra-Low Power Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3689Y rivals AMD A10-4655M.

Feature	Core i3-5015U	Core i7-3689Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 5500	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mobile	Ultra-Low Power Laptop