Core i5-5250U vs Pentium Silver N5000

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 i5-5250U vs Pentium Silver N5000 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 i5-5250U vs Pentium Silver N5000: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-5250U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 6000, while Pentium Silver N5000 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.

Pentium Silver N5000

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,442 vs 2,450).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-5250U better than Pentium Silver N5000?

Yes. Core i5-5250U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5250U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-5250U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-5250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Silver N5000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-5250U vs Pentium Silver N5000 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-5250U

The Core i5-5250U 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 1.6 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: 2,450 points. Launch price was $315.

Pentium Silver N5000

The Pentium Silver N5000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2017 (7 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,442 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-5250U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Silver N5000 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium Silver N5000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5250U versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver N5000 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-5250U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Silver N5000 uses Goldmont Plus (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5250U scores 2,450 against the Pentium Silver N5000's 2,442 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-5250U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5250U vs 4 MB on the Pentium Silver N5000.

Feature	Core i5-5250U	Pentium Silver N5000
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+45%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+6300%	4 MB (total)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Goldmont Plus (2017)
PassMark	2,450	2,442

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5250U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Silver N5000 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5250U	Pentium Silver N5000
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1090
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-5250U) / not specified (Pentium Silver N5000). The Core i5-5250U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 6000), while the Pentium Silver N5000 requires a dedicated GPU.