Core i5-3210M vs Core i5-5200U

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 i5-3210M vs Core i5-5200U 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 i5-3210M vs Core i5-5200U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3210M

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Core i5-5200U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,469 vs 2,503).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Core i5-5200U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-5200U

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3210M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-5200U better than Core i5-3210M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3210M is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5200U pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5200U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-5200U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-5200U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. Core i5-3210M only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-5200U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) 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 i5-3210M vs Core i5-5200U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) 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 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i5-5200U

The Core i5-5200U 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 2,503 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3210M and Core i5-5200U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5200U — a 13.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-3210M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-3210M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-5200U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3210M scores 2,469 against the Core i5-5200U's 2,503 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-5200U. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i5-5200U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+15%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,469	2,503+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,400	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3210M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-5200U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i5-5200U
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M) / not specified (Core i5-5200U). The Core i5-3210M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-5200U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M.