Core i7-5557U vs FX-4170

Core i7-5557U vs FX-4170 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-5557U

2 / 4

3,153

+1.0%

3,121

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i7-5557U vs FX-4170 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 i7-5557U vs FX-4170: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-5557U

2015

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌309.6% higher power demand at 512W vs 125W.

FX-4170

2012

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 125W instead of 512W, a 387W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,121 vs 3,153).
❌Launch MSRP is still $157 MSRP, while Core i7-5557U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4170 better than Core i7-5557U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4170 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5557U pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. FX-4170 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5557U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-4170 is the better buy right now. FX-4170 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $157 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-5557U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-5557U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-5557U vs FX-4170 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-5557U

The Core i7-5557U 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,153 points. Launch price was $426.

FX-4170

The FX-4170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 February 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,121 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-5557U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4170 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4170 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-5557U versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-4170 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the FX-4170 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i7-5557U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-4170 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5557U scores 3,153 against the FX-4170's 3,121 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-5557U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5557U vs 8192 kB on the FX-4170.

Feature	Core i7-5557U	FX-4170
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.3 GHz+26%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8192 kB+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,153+1%	3,121

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5557U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4170 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.