Core i5-7287U vs Core i7-7600U

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 i5-7287U vs Core i7-7600U 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 i5-7287U vs Core i7-7600U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7287U

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650, while Core i7-7600U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.

Core i7-7600U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,687 vs 3,743).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7287U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7287U better than Core i7-7600U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7600U is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7287U pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7287U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7287U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-7287U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-7287U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i5-7287U vs Core i7-7600U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7287U

The Core i5-7287U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,743 points. Launch price was $304.

Core i7-7600U

The Core i7-7600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 3,687 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7287U and Core i7-7600U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-7287U versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-7600U — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-7600U (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-7287U scores 3,743 against the Core i7-7600U's 3,687 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-7287U. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-7287U	Core i7-7600U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+18%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,743+2%	3,687

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1356 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-7287U	Core i7-7600U
Socket	BGA1356	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-7287U) / not specified (Core i7-7600U). The Core i5-7287U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650), while the Core i7-7600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7287U targets Mobile.