Core i5-655K vs Core i3-5005U
Core i5-655K
Core i3-5005U
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 i5-655K is positioned at rank 1004 and the Core i3-5005U is on rank 362, so the Core i3-5005U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-655K
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5005U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-655K | Core i3-5005U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-655K | Core i3-5005U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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 i5-655K and Core i3-5005U
Core i5-655K
The Core i5-655K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,017 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i3-5005U
The Core i3-5005U 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 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 2,012 points. Launch price was $275.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-655K and Core i3-5005U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-655K versus 2 GHz on the Core i3-5005U — a 53.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-655K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-655K uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-5005U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-655K scores 2,017 against the Core i3-5005U's 2,012 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-655K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 560 vs 617, a 9.7% lead for the Core i3-5005U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,250 vs 1,227 (1.9% advantage for the Core i5-655K). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-655K vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5005U.
| Feature | Core i5-655K | Core i3-5005U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz+73% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+60% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Broadwell-U (2015) |
| PassMark | 2,017 | 2,012 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 560 | 617+10% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,250+2% | 1,227 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-655K uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-5005U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-655K) vs 12 (Core i3-5005U) — the Core i5-655K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H55,H57,P55 (Core i5-655K) and Intel Broadwell-U (Core i3-5005U).
| Feature | Core i5-655K | Core i3-5005U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i5-655K) vs true (Core i3-5005U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Core i5-655K) and Intel HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5005U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-655K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-655K | Core i3-5005U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) | Intel HD Graphics 5500 |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | true |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
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