Core i7-5500U vs Core m3-8100Y

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 i7-5500U vs Core m3-8100Y 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 i7-5500U vs Core m3-8100Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-5500U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 5500, while Core m3-8100Y needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core m3-8100Y

2018

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-5500U across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,767 vs 2,807).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-5500U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5500U better than Core m3-8100Y?

Yes. Core i7-5500U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-5500U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.9% more average FPS across 41 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5500U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-5500U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-5500U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core m3-8100Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-5500U vs Core m3-8100Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-5500U

The Core i7-5500U 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 2,807 points. Launch price was $393.

Core m3-8100Y

The Core m3-8100Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,767 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-5500U and Core m3-8100Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-5500U versus 3.4 GHz on the Core m3-8100Y — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core m3-8100Y (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-5500U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core m3-8100Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5500U scores 2,807 against the Core m3-8100Y's 2,767 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-5500U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5500U vs 4 MB on the Core m3-8100Y.

Feature	Core i7-5500U	Core m3-8100Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+118%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,807+1%	2,767
Geekbench 6 Single	956	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,933	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5500U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-8100Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-5500U	Core m3-8100Y
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-5500U) / not specified (Core m3-8100Y). The Core i7-5500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Core m3-8100Y requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-5500U targets Ultrabook.