Core i3-7020U 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 i3-7020U 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 i3-7020U 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 i3-7020U

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-5350U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,567 vs 2,589).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5350U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-5350U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 6000, while Core i3-7020U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $315 MSRP, while Core i3-7020U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-5350U better than Core i3-7020U?

Yes. Core i5-5350U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% 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 i5-5350U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% 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 i5-5350U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-5350U is the better buy right now. Core i5-5350U comes in at an unclear MSRP at $315 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-7020U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7020U vs Core i5-5350U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7020U

The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

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 i3-7020U and Core i5-5350U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5350U — a 23.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-5350U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i3-7020U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-5350U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7020U scores 2,567 against the Core i5-5350U's 2,589 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-5350U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5350U.

Feature	Core i3-7020U	Core i5-5350U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.9 GHz+26%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+28%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,567	2,589

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7020U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-5350U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7020U	Core i5-5350U
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-7020U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-5350U). The Core i5-5350U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 6000), while the Core i3-7020U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5350U targets Mobile.