Core i5-5287U vs Core i7-4578U

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 i5-5287U vs Core i7-4578U 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 i5-5287U vs Core i7-4578U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-5287U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-4578U

2014

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-5287U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,075 vs 3,084).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-5287U better than Core i7-4578U?

Yes. Core i5-5287U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 i5-5287U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.9% 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 i5-5287U 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 i5-5287U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-5287U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-5287U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) 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 i5-5287U vs Core i7-4578U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-5287U

The Core i5-5287U 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,084 points. Launch price was $315.

Core i7-4578U

The Core i7-4578U 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 3,075 points. Launch price was $426.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-5287U and Core i7-4578U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-5287U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-4578U — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-4578U (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-5287U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4578U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5287U scores 3,084 against the Core i7-4578U's 3,075 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-5287U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5287U vs 4 MB on the Core i7-4578U.

Feature	Core i5-5287U	Core i7-4578U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,084	3,075