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 i5-2510E vs Core M-5Y70 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 i5-2510E vs Core M-5Y70: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2510E

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($230 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 8.2 vs 6.7 PassMark/$ ($230 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Core M-5Y70 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,884 vs 1,890).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core M-5Y70

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.7 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $230 MSRP).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2510E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2510E better than Core M-5Y70?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2510E is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y70 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core M-5Y70 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y70 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% 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 i5-2510E is the better buy right now. Core i5-2510E comes in $51 cheaper on MSRP at $230 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core M-5Y70 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 21.8% better value on MSRP (8.2 vs 6.7 PassMark/$), 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 M-5Y70 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), 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 i5-2510E vs Core M-5Y70 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2510E

The Core i5-2510E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,884 points. Launch price was $266.

Core M-5Y70

The Core M-5Y70 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,890 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2510E and Core M-5Y70 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2510E versus 2.6 GHz on the Core M-5Y70 — a 17.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-2510E (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-2510E uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core M-5Y70 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2510E scores 1,884 against the Core M-5Y70's 1,890 — a 0.3% lead for the Core M-5Y70. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2510E vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y70.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	Core M-5Y70
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+19%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+127%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	1,884	1,890
Geekbench 6 Single	527	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2510E uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core M-5Y70 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	Core M-5Y70
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2510E) / not specified (Core M-5Y70). The Core i5-2510E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core M-5Y70 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2510E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-2510E rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	Core M-5Y70
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 3000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Embedded	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2510E was priced at $230, while the Core M-5Y70 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($230 vs $281), Core i5-2510E was $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2510E delivers 8.2 pts/$ vs 6.7 pts/$ for the Core M-5Y70 — making the Core i5-2510E the 19.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	Core M-5Y70
MSRP	$230-18%	$281
Performance per Dollar	8.2+22%	6.7
Release Date	2011	2014

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