Core i5-2515E vs Core M-5Y70

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 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 i5-2515E 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 i5-2515E

2011

Why buy it

✅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 (1,882 vs 1,890).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core M-5Y70

2014

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i5-2515E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2515E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core M-5Y70 better than Core i5-2515E?

Yes. Core M-5Y70 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core M-5Y70 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.4% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.4% 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 M-5Y70 is the better buy right now. Core M-5Y70 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 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 i5-2515E vs Core M-5Y70 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 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 i5-2515E and Core M-5Y70 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i5-2515E versus 2.6 GHz on the Core M-5Y70 — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core M-5Y70 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-2515E uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core M-5Y70 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2515E scores 1,882 against the Core M-5Y70's 1,890 — a 0.4% lead for the Core M-5Y70. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2515E vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y70.

Feature	Core i5-2515E	Core M-5Y70
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
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	1,882	1,890
Geekbench 6 Single	530	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2515E uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core M-5Y70 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2515E	Core M-5Y70
Socket	BGA1023	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 i5-2515E) / not specified (Core M-5Y70). The Core i5-2515E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core M-5Y70 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2515E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-2515E rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Core i5-2515E	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 i5-2515E was priced at $0, while the Core M-5Y70 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($0 vs $281), Core i5-2515E was $281 cheaper.

Feature	Core i5-2515E	Core M-5Y70
MSRP	$0-100%	$281
Performance per Dollar	—	6.7
Release Date	2011	2014

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