Core i5-2515E vs Core i7-2677M

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 i5-2515E vs Core i7-2677M 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 i5-2515E vs Core i7-2677M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2515E

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (530 vs 562).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.

Core i7-2677M

2011

Why buy it

✅+6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,875 vs 1,882).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2515E better than Core i7-2677M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2677M is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2515E pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-2677M 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 i5-2515E 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 i5-2515E still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-2515E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-2515E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i5-2515E vs Core i7-2677M Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2515E

The Core i5-2515E 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 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,882 points. Launch price was $266.

Core i7-2677M

The Core i7-2677M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,875 points. Launch price was $317.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2515E and Core i7-2677M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i5-2515E versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i7-2677M — a 14.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-2677M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-2515E scores 1,882 against the Core i7-2677M's 1,875 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-2515E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 530 vs 562, a 5.9% lead for the Core i7-2677M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2515E vs 4 MB on the Core i7-2677M.

Feature	Core i5-2515E	Core i7-2677M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+39%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,882	1,875
Geekbench 6 Single	530	562+6%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1023 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2515E supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM67 (Core i5-2515E) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67,UM67 (Core i7-2677M).

Feature	Core i5-2515E	Core i7-2677M
Socket	BGA1023	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2515E) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2677M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2515E targets Embedded, Core i7-2677M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i5-2515E rivals Embedded R-Series; Core i7-2677M rivals A6-3420M.

Feature	Core i5-2515E	Core i7-2677M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 3000	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Embedded	Ultrabook