Core i5-7287U vs Pentium Gold G5420

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 Pentium Gold G5420 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 Pentium Gold G5420: 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

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 54W, a 26W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium Gold G5420.

Pentium Gold G5420

2019

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-7287U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,700 vs 3,743).
❌92.9% higher power demand at 54W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7287U better than Pentium Gold G5420?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G5420 is ahead with a 0.5% 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 1.2% 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 1.2% 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 1.2% better PassMark.

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

Pentium Gold G5420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7287U vs Pentium Gold G5420 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.

Pentium Gold G5420

The Pentium Gold G5420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,700 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7287U and Pentium Gold G5420 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-7287U versus 3.8 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5420 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5420 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-7287U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5420 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7287U scores 3,743 against the Pentium Gold G5420's 3,700 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-7287U. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-7287U	Pentium Gold G5420
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.8 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,743+1%	3,700
Geekbench 6 Single	—	764
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,515

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7287U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G5420 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the Core i5-7287U versus DDR4-2400 on the Pentium Gold G5420 — the Pentium Gold G5420 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium Gold G5420 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-7287U) vs 16 (Pentium Gold G5420) — the Pentium Gold G5420 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Kaby Lake-U (Core i5-7287U) and H310,B360,B365,H370,Z370,Z390 (Pentium Gold G5420).

Feature	Core i5-7287U	Pentium Gold G5420
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-7287U) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Pentium Gold G5420). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650 (Core i5-7287U) and Intel UHD Graphics 610 (Pentium Gold G5420) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7287U targets Mobile, Pentium Gold G5420 targets Office.

Feature	Core i5-7287U	Pentium Gold G5420
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650	Intel UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	Mobile	Office