Core i3-5020U vs Core i7-3555LE

CPU

GPU

Core i3-5020U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2015

Core i7-3555LE

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-5020U

2 / 4

2,232

0.0%

2,238

+0.3%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-5020U is positioned at rank 598 and the Core i7-3555LE is on rank 1150, so the Core i3-5020U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5020U

#184

Core Ultra 7 266V

MSRP: $520|Avg: $520

100%

#185

Ryzen 7 5825C

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

98%

#586

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

789%

#587

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

777%

#588

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

713%

#589

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

710%

#590

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

704%

#592

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

680%

#593

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

652%

#594

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

651%

#595

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

633%

#598

Core i3-5020U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#608

Ryzen AI 5 330

MSRP: $350|Avg: $350

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3555LE

#1138

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3933%

#1139

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3875%

#1140

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3558%

#1141

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3542%

#1142

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3509%

#1144

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3389%

#1145

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3249%

#1146

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3244%

#1147

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3157%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

100%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

99%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

99%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#1154

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

97%

#1155

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

97%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

97%

#1158

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

95%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

95%

#1160

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1162

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

94%

#1164

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

92%

#1165

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-3555LE delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-5020U in both compute-intensive tasks (0.3% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i3-5020U	Core i7-3555LE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($280)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-5020U	Core i7-3555LE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($280)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-5020U Benchmark Check

Core i7-3555LE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-5020U and Core i7-3555LE

Core i3-5020U

The Core i3-5020U 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: 2,232 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i7-3555LE

The Core i7-3555LE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,238 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5020U and Core i7-3555LE share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3555LE — a 37% clock advantage for the Core i7-3555LE (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-5020U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3555LE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5020U scores 2,232 against the Core i7-3555LE's 2,238 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-3555LE. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5020U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3555LE.

Feature	Core i3-5020U	Core i7-3555LE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3.2 GHz+45%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,232	2,238
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,200	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5020U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3555LE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5020U	Core i7-3555LE
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U) / not specified (Core i7-3555LE). The Core i3-5020U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Core i7-3555LE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop.