Core i5-5350U
VS
Core i3-7020U

Core i5-5350U vs Core i3-7020U

Intel

Core i5-5350U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Core i3-7020U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-5350U is positioned at rank 1126 and the Core i3-7020U is on rank 70, so the Core i3-7020U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-5350U

#1114
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3569%
#1115
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3517%
#1116
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3229%
#1117
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3214%
#1118
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3185%
#1120
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3075%
#1121
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2949%
#1122
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2944%
#1123
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2865%
#1126
Core i5-5350U
MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A
100%
#1127
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
100%
#1128
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
100%
#1129
Core i7-3520M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
100%
#1130
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
100%
#1131
Core i5-2510E
MSRP: $230|Avg: $30
100%
#1132
Core m5-6Y54
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
99%
#1133
Core i3-2330E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $10
99%
#1135
Core i5-4288U
MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A
95%
#1136
Core m3-6Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
94%
#1137
Core i3-2340UE
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
94%
#1138
Core i7-2820QM
MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A
94%
#1139
Core i5-520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
93%
#1141
Celeron 807
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7020U

#15
Ryzen 5 220
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
97%
#18
Ryzen 5 8500G
MSRP: $179|Avg: $150
94%
#58
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
229%
#59
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
225%
#60
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
207%
#61
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
206%
#62
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
204%
#64
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
197%
#65
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
189%
#66
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
189%
#67
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
183%
#70
Core i3-7020U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#75
Core i3-4030U
MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A
97%
#79
Atom D2500
MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-7020U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i5-5350UCore i3-7020U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($315)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-5350U (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i5-5350UCore i3-7020U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($315)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-5350U and Core i3-7020U

Intel

Core i5-5350U

The Core i5-5350U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: 2,589 points. Launch price was $315.

Intel

Core i3-7020U

The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-5350U and Core i3-7020U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5350U versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U — a 23.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-5350U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-5350U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7020U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5350U scores 2,589 against the Core i3-7020U's 2,567 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-5350U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5350U vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U.

FeatureCore i5-5350UCore i3-7020U
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz+26%
2.3 GHz
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
2.3 GHz+28%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
3 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB+100%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Broadwell-U (2015)
Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark
2,589
2,567
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5350U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7020U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-5350UCore i3-7020U
Socket
FCBGA1168
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-5350U) / not specified (Core i3-7020U). The Core i5-5350U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 6000), while the Core i3-7020U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5350U targets Mobile.

FeatureCore i5-5350UCore i3-7020U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 6000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mobile