Core i5-655K vs Core M-5Y51

Core i5-655K

2 Cores4 Thrd73 WWMax: 3.46 GHz2010

Core M-5Y51

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-655K

2 / 4

2,017

0.0%

2,030

+0.6%

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 M-5Y51 is on rank 1154, so the Core i5-655K 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 i5-655K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

33374%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

31535%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

22897%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6898%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5464%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4780%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2738%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2702%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2460%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2460%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2432%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2367%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2334%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2324%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2303%

#1004

Core i5-655K

MSRP: $216|Avg: $55

100%

#1005

Celeron 450

MSRP: $53|Avg: $5

100%

#1006

Core 2 Duo E4600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $9.6

99%

#1008

Core i7-870S

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

99%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

98%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

98%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

97%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

96%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

96%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

95%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

95%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

94%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core M-5Y51

#1141

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4064%

#1142

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4004%

#1143

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3676%

#1144

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3659%

#1145

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3626%

#1147

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3501%

#1148

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3357%

#1149

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3352%

#1150

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3262%

#1153

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

100%

#1154

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1155

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

100%

#1156

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

99%

#1158

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

98%

#1159

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

97%

#1161

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

97%

#1163

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

95%

#1164

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

94%

#1165

Core M-5Y10c

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1166

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1167

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-655K leads in gaming performance. However, the Core M-5Y51 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-655K	Core M-5Y51
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($55)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-Y (2014) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-655K stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 80% cheaper ($55 vs $281) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-655K	Core M-5Y51
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+408%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($55)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)

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.

Core i5-655K Benchmark Check

Core M-5Y51 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-655K and Core M-5Y51

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 M-5Y51

The Core M-5Y51 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,030 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-655K and Core M-5Y51 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-655K versus 2.6 GHz on the Core M-5Y51 — a 28.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-655K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-655K uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core M-5Y51 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-655K scores 2,017 against the Core M-5Y51's 2,030 — a 0.6% lead for the Core M-5Y51. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-655K	Core M-5Y51
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz+33%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+191%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	2,017	2,030
Geekbench 6 Single	560	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,250	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-655K uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core M-5Y51 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-655K	Core M-5Y51
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i5-655K) / not specified (Core M-5Y51). The Core i5-655K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Core M-5Y51 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-655K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-655K	Core M-5Y51
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-655K launched at $216 MSRP, while the Core M-5Y51 debuted at $281. At current prices ($55 vs $281), the Core i5-655K is $226 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-655K delivers 36.7 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Core M-5Y51 — making the Core i5-655K the 134.2% better value option.