Core i3-5157U vs Core i5-7Y57

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 i5-7Y57 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 i5-7Y57: 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: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌11277.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 4.5W.

Core i5-7Y57

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-5157U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,585 vs 2,593).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i3-5157U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5157U better than Core i5-7Y57?

Yes. Core i3-5157U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-5157U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.3% 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 $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-7Y57 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 3.6% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-7Y57 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-5157U vs Core i5-7Y57 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 i5-7Y57

The Core i5-7Y57 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. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,585 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5157U and Core i5-7Y57 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-5157U versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-7Y57 — a 27.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-7Y57 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i3-5157U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7Y57 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5157U scores 2,593 against the Core i5-7Y57's 2,585 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-5157U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5157U vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7Y57.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i5-7Y57
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+108%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,593	2,585
Geekbench 6 Single	793	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5157U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7Y57 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. 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 i5-7Y57
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1515
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 i5-7Y57). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 6100 (Core i3-5157U) and HD Graphics 615 (Core i5-7Y57) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5157U targets Premium Laptop, Core i5-7Y57 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-5157U rivals A12-8800B.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Core i5-7Y57
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Graphics 6100	HD Graphics 615
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Premium Laptop	Mobile