Core i5-4278U vs Core i7-5500U

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 i5-4278U vs Core i7-5500U 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 i5-4278U vs Core i7-5500U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4278U

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (889 vs 956).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,860 vs 1,933).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-5500U

2015

Why buy it

✅+7.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5500U better than Core i5-4278U?

Yes. Core i7-5500U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 i7-5500U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5500U is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 i7-5500U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-5500U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-5500U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014), 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 i5-4278U vs Core i7-5500U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4278U

The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.

Core i7-5500U

The Core i7-5500U 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 2,807 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4278U and Core i7-5500U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U versus 3 GHz on the Core i7-5500U — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-4278U (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-4278U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-5500U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4278U scores 2,826 against the Core i7-5500U's 2,807 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-4278U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 889 vs 956, a 7.3% lead for the Core i7-5500U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,860 vs 1,933 (3.8% advantage for the Core i7-5500U). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4278U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5500U.

Feature	Core i5-4278U	Core i7-5500U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+8%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,826	2,807
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,688	—
Geekbench 6 Single	889	956+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,860	1,933+4%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i5-4278U) and Broadwell-U SoC (Core i7-5500U).

Feature	Core i5-4278U	Core i7-5500U
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i5-4278U) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-5500U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4278U) and Intel HD Graphics 5500 (Core i7-5500U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-5500U targets Ultrabook.

Feature	Core i5-4278U	Core i7-5500U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Graphics 5100	Intel HD Graphics 5500
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	—	Ultrabook