Core i3-7102E 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 i3-7102E 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 i3-7102E 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 i3-7102E

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $315 MSRP).
✅Delivers 40.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.6 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $315 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 512W, a 487W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

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 2,599).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.2 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($315 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌1948% higher power demand at 512W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7102E better than Core i5-5350U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-5350U is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7102E pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7102E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7102E is the better buy right now. Core i3-7102E comes in $90 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $315 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-5350U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 40.5% better value on MSRP (11.6 vs 8.2 PassMark/$), 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 i3-7102E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and 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 i3-7102E vs Core i5-5350U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7102E

The Core i3-7102E 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. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,599 points. Launch price was $225.

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 i3-7102E and Core i5-5350U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-7102E versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5350U — a 32% clock advantage for the Core i5-5350U. The Core i3-7102E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-5350U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7102E scores 2,599 against the Core i5-5350U's 2,589 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-7102E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7102E vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5350U.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	Core i5-5350U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.9 GHz+38%
Base Clock	—	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	2,599	2,589
Cinebench R23 Multi	659	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,962	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	—

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7102E versus LPDDR3-1866 on the Core i5-5350U — the Core i3-7102E supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7102E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-7102E) vs 12 (Core i5-5350U) — the Core i3-7102E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	Core i5-5350U
Socket	—	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+29%	LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-7102E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-5350U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7102E) and HD Graphics 6000 (Core i5-5350U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5350U targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	Core i5-5350U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	HD Graphics 6000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7102E was priced at $225, while the Core i5-5350U came in at $315. On launch pricing ($225 vs $315), Core i3-7102E was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7102E delivers 11.6 pts/$ vs 8.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-5350U — making the Core i3-7102E the 33.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	Core i5-5350U
MSRP	$225-29%	$315
Performance per Dollar	11.6+41%	8.2
Release Date	2017	2015

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