Core i3-5157U vs Core i5-5350U

Core i3-5157U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2015

Core i5-5350U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-5157U

2 / 4

2,593

+0.2%

2,589

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 i5-5350U is on rank 1126, so the Core i3-5157U 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 i5-5350U

#1114

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3569%

#1115

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3517%

#1116

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3229%

#1117

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3214%

#1118

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3185%

#1120

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3075%

#1121

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2949%

#1122

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2944%

#1123

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2865%

#1126

Core i5-5350U

MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A

100%

#1127

Pentium Dual Core T4300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $99

100%

#1128

Core i3-4100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#1129

Core i7-3520M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1130

Core i3-2310E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $20

100%

#1131

Core i5-2510E

MSRP: $230|Avg: $30

100%

#1132

Core m5-6Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1133

Core i3-2330E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $10

99%

#1135

Core i5-4288U

MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A

95%

#1136

Core m3-6Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1137

Core i3-2340UE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

94%

#1138

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

94%

#1139

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

93%

#1141

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-5350U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-5157U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.2% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-5157U	Core i5-5350U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($315)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-5157U	Core i5-5350U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($315)

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 i5-5350U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-5157U and Core i5-5350U

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 i5-5350U

The Core i5-5350U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: 2,589 points. Launch price was $315.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5157U and Core i5-5350U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-5157U versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5350U — a 14.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-5350U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). Both are built on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-5157U scores 2,593 against the Core i5-5350U's 2,589 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-5157U. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i5-5350U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+39%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,593	2,589
Geekbench 6 Single	793	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to LPDDR3-1866 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i5-5350U
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866	LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	12	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5157U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-5350U). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 6100 (Core i3-5157U) and HD Graphics 6000 (Core i5-5350U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5157U targets Premium Laptop, Core i5-5350U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-5157U rivals A12-8800B.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i5-5350U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Graphics 6100	HD Graphics 6000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Premium Laptop	Mobile