Core i7-5650U vs Pentium Silver

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 i7-5650U vs Pentium Silver 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 i7-5650U vs Pentium Silver: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-5650U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Silver across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Pentium Silver

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,989 vs 3,000).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5650U better than Pentium Silver?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Silver is ahead with a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5650U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5650U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-5650U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-5650U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Pentium Silver makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-5650U vs Pentium Silver Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-5650U

The Core i7-5650U 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 3,000 points. Launch price was $426.

Pentium Silver

The Pentium Silver is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 2,989 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-5650U is built on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-5650U scores 3,000 against the Pentium Silver's 2,989 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-5650U.

Feature	Core i7-5650U	Pentium Silver
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	—
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	—
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	—
PassMark	3,000	2,989