Core i7-870 vs Core i7-5557U

Core i7-870

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2009

Core i7-5557U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-870

4 / 8

3,164

+0.3%

Pentium Dual Core T2390

3,153

0.0%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-870 is positioned at rank 987 and the Core i7-5557U is on rank 563, so the Core i7-5557U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-870

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

29546%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

27918%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

20271%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6107%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4837%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4232%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2424%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2392%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2178%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2178%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2153%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2095%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2066%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2058%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2039%

#304

Core i7-6950X

MSRP: $1723|Avg: $180

97%

#987

Core i7-870

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

100%

#988

Athlon 64 X2 5000+

MSRP: $136|Avg: $42

99%

#989

Core i3-6102E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

99%

#990

Pentium Dual-Core E2160

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

99%

#991

Pentium Dual-Core E2210

MSRP: $98|Avg: $15

97%

#992

Core 2 Duo E7500

MSRP: $113|Avg: $10

97%

#993

Core 2 Quad Q9505

MSRP: $213|Avg: $150

97%

#996

Core i7-930

MSRP: $294|Avg: $20

96%

#997

Core i7-920

MSRP: $284|Avg: $79

96%

#998

Core i7-4960X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $136

95%

#999

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

93%

#1001

Core 2 Duo E4400

MSRP: $113|Avg: $20

92%

#1002

Pentium D 915

MSRP: $74|Avg: $10

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5557U

#176

Core i9-13900HK

MSRP: $697|Avg: N/A

99%

#178

Core i7-1360P

MSRP: $480|Avg: $280

98%

#179

Core i7-1260P

MSRP: $432|Avg: $432

97%

#551

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

744%

#552

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

734%

#553

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

673%

#554

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

670%

#555

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

664%

#557

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

641%

#558

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

615%

#559

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

614%

#560

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

598%

#563

Core i7-5557U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#572

A10-9600P

MSRP: $128|Avg: $50

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-5557U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-870	Core i7-5557U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-870 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-870	Core i7-5557U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-870 Benchmark Check

Core i7-5557U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-870 and Core i7-5557U

Core i7-870

The Core i7-870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-870 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-5557U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-870 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-5557U — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-870 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-870 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-5557U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870 scores 3,164 against the Core i7-5557U's 3,153 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-870. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5557U.

Feature	Core i7-870	Core i7-5557U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+6%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.93 GHz	3.1 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	3,164	3,153
Geekbench 6 Single	476	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,541	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-5557U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-870	Core i7-5557U
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—