Core i3-6157U vs Core i7-5500U

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 i3-6157U vs Core i7-5500U 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 i3-6157U vs Core i7-5500U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6157U

2016

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-5500U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,782 vs 2,807).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-5500U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5500U better than Core i3-6157U?

Yes. Core i7-5500U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-5500U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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 i7-5500U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i7-5500U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-5500U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-6157U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6157U vs Core i7-5500U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6157U

The Core i3-6157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,782 points. Launch price was $304.

Core i7-5500U

The Core i7-5500U 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 2,807 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6157U and Core i7-5500U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-6157U versus 3 GHz on the Core i7-5500U — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-5500U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-6157U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5500U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6157U scores 2,782 against the Core i7-5500U's 2,807 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-5500U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6157U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5500U.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Core i7-5500U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3 GHz+25%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,782	2,807
Geekbench 6 Single	—	956
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,933

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6157U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5500U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6157U versus DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 on the Core i7-5500U — the Core i3-6157U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-6157U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Core i7-5500U
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	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 (Core i3-6157U) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-5500U). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 550 (Core i3-6157U) and Intel HD Graphics 5500 (Core i7-5500U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6157U targets Mobile, Core i7-5500U targets Ultrabook.

Feature	Core i3-6157U	Core i7-5500U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Graphics 550	Intel HD Graphics 5500
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	Mobile	Ultrabook