Core i7-3517UE vs Pentium Gold 5405U

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 i7-3517UE vs Pentium Gold 5405U 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 i7-3517UE vs Pentium Gold 5405U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3517UE

2012

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $330 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 5405U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold 5405U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 17W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,357 vs 2,384).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3517UE better than Pentium Gold 5405U?

Yes. Core i7-3517UE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3517UE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3517UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i7-3517UE is the better buy right now. Core i7-3517UE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $330 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold 5405U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3517UE vs Pentium Gold 5405U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3517UE

The Core i7-3517UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium Gold 5405U

The Pentium Gold 5405U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,357 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3517UE and Pentium Gold 5405U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold 5405U — a 19.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517UE (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-3517UE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold 5405U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517UE scores 2,384 against the Pentium Gold 5405U's 2,357 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-3517UE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold 5405U.

Feature	Core i7-3517UE	Pentium Gold 5405U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.3 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	2,384+1%	2,357

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3517UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold 5405U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.