Core i3-5157U vs Core i5-5350U

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 i5-5350U 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 i5-5350U: 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

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-5350U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,589 vs 2,593).
❌Launch MSRP is still $315 MSRP, while Core i3-5157U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5157U better than Core i5-5350U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-5350U is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5157U 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 i3-5157U 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 i3-5157U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i3-5157U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $315 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-5350U 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 0.4% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-5157U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i5-5350U 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 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.

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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	—

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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	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	12

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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