Core i3-5157U vs Core i3-7102E

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 i3-5157U vs Core i3-7102E 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 i3-5157U vs Core i3-7102E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-5157U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,593 vs 2,599).
❌1948% higher power demand at 512W vs 25W.

Core i3-7102E

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 25W instead of 512W, a 487W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-5157U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Core i3-5157U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7102E better than Core i3-5157U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-5157U is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7102E pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7102E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7102E is the better buy right now. Core i3-7102E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $225 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-5157U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-7102E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) 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 i3-5157U vs Core i3-7102E Technical Specifications

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

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 i3-7102E

The Core i3-7102E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,599 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5157U and Core i3-7102E share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-5157U versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-7102E — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-5157U. The Core i3-5157U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7102E uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5157U scores 2,593 against the Core i3-7102E's 2,599 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-7102E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 793 vs 1,962, a 84.9% lead for the Core i3-7102E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5157U vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7102E.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i3-7102E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 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	2,599
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	659
Geekbench 6 Single	793	1,962+147%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-1866 on the Core i3-5157U versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7102E — the Core i3-7102E supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7102E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-5157U) vs 16 (Core i3-7102E) — the Core i3-7102E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i3-7102E
Socket	FCBGA1168	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866	DDR4-2400+29%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	64 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5157U) vs Yes (Core i3-7102E). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 6100 (Core i3-5157U) and Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7102E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5157U targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5157U rivals A12-8800B.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i3-7102E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Graphics 6100	Intel HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Premium Laptop	—