Core i3-5015U vs Core M-5Y71

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 M-5Y71 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 M-5Y71: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5500, while Core M-5Y71 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core M-5Y71

2014

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-5015U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,975 vs 1,990).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i3-5015U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5015U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5015U better than Core M-5Y71?

Yes. Core i3-5015U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-5015U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-5015U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i3-5015U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core M-5Y71 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.6% in the shared gaming data.

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 2014) 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 M-5Y71 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 M-5Y71

The Core M-5Y71 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 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: 1,975 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5015U and Core M-5Y71 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5015U versus 2.9 GHz on the Core M-5Y71 — a 32% clock advantage for the Core M-5Y71 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i3-5015U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core M-5Y71 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5015U scores 1,990 against the Core M-5Y71's 1,975 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-5015U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5015U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y71.

Feature	Core i3-5015U	Core M-5Y71
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.9 GHz+38%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+75%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	1,990	1,975

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5015U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core M-5Y71 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5015U	Core M-5Y71
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5015U) / not specified (Core M-5Y71). The Core i3-5015U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Core M-5Y71 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5015U targets Mobile.