Core i3-5157U vs Core i3-7020U

Core i3-5157U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2015

Core i3-7020U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-5157U

2 / 4

2,593

+1.0%

2,567

0.0%

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 i3-5157U is positioned at rank 663 and the Core i3-7020U is on rank 70, so the Core i3-7020U 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 i3-5157U

#651

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

905%

#652

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

892%

#653

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

819%

#654

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

815%

#655

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

808%

#657

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

780%

#658

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

748%

#659

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

747%

#660

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

727%

#663

Core i3-5157U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#665

Athlon X2 QL-64

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

100%

#666

Core 3 N350

MSRP: $225|Avg: $220

99%

#668

FX-7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7020U

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

97%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

94%

#58

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

229%

#59

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

225%

#60

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

207%

#61

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

206%

#62

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

204%

#64

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

197%

#65

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

189%

#66

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

189%

#67

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

183%

#70

Core i3-7020U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

97%

#79

Atom D2500

MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-7020U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-5157U	Core i3-7020U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-5157U (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-5157U	Core i3-7020U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i3-5157U Benchmark Check

Core i3-7020U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-5157U and Core i3-7020U

Core i3-5157U

The Core i3-5157U 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,593 points. Launch price was $315.

Core i3-7020U

The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5157U and Core i3-7020U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-5157U versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-5157U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-5157U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7020U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5157U scores 2,593 against the Core i3-7020U's 2,567 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-5157U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5157U vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i3-7020U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+9%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+9%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,593+1%	2,567
Geekbench 6 Single	793	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5157U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7020U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i3-7020U
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5157U) / not specified (Core i3-7020U). The Core i3-5157U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 6100), while the Core i3-7020U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5157U targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5157U rivals A12-8800B.