Core m3-8100Y vs Core i7-5500U

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 m3-8100Y is positioned at rank 383 and the Core i7-5500U is on rank 733, so the Core m3-8100Y 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 m3-8100Y

#119

Ryzen 7 PRO 250

MSRP: $400|Avg: $380

98%

#371

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

530%

#372

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

522%

#373

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

480%

#374

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

477%

#375

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

473%

#377

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

457%

#378

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

438%

#379

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

437%

#380

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

426%

#383

Core m3-8100Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#391

Core i5-1145GRE

MSRP: $362|Avg: N/A

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5500U

#721

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1045%

#722

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1030%

#723

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

945%

#724

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

941%

#725

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

933%

#727

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

901%

#728

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

864%

#729

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

862%

#730

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

839%

#733

Core i7-5500U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#744

Pentium 6805

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#748

Ryzen 3 7320C

MSRP: $299|Avg: $200

98%

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 m3-8100Y (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core m3-8100Y	Core i7-5500U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-5500U (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core m3-8100Y	Core i7-5500U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 m3-8100Y Benchmark Check

Core i7-5500U Benchmark Check

Loading...

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core m3-8100Y and Core i7-5500U

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.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

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

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

🧠

Memory & Platform

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

Feature	Core m3-8100Y	Core i7-5500U
Socket	FCBGA1515	FCBGA1168
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	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core m3-8100Y) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-5500U). 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.