Intel Core i3-5010U vs Intel Core i5-750 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark records show a clean sweep for the Intel Core i5-750 across every Cinebench test in the comparison, but the margins tell a more interesting story than the raw wins. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the i5-750 scores 218 against 183 for the i3-5010U, a 19.1% advantage. That gap stays remarkably consistent across all five head-to-head tests, with the i5-750 winning by 19.2% in R20 multi-core (912 versus 765) and 19.6% in R20 single-core (128 versus 107).

The single-core results are particularly notable because they reveal that the architectural efficiency of the newer i3-5010U cannot overcome the raw clock speed advantage of the older desktop part. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-750 posts 306 points versus 257 for the i3-5010U, again a 19.1% margin. The i3-5010U does not win a single benchmark in this head-to-head comparison, with a 0-5 record.

Looking at the broader picture, the i5-750's average benchmark score of 747 places it at the 20th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i3-5010U sits just behind at 734 average and the 19th percentile. The nearest rivals for the i5-750 include the Intel Core i5-4200U at 746 (a 0.2% difference), the AMD A10 PRO-7800B also at 746 (0.2%), and the AMD FX-9800P at 745 (0.2%). For the i3-5010U, the AMD A8 PRO-7600B sits at 735 (-0.1%), the AMD Athlon X4 750K at 736 (-0.3%), and the AMD Athlon Gold 3150U at 736 (-0.3%).

The consistency of the delta across every test is striking. Whether the workload is single-core or multi-core, the i5-750 maintains roughly a 19% lead. This suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent, rooted in the fundamental specifications of each processor rather than any particular benchmark characteristic.

Where Each One Wins

The usage split is straightforward: the Intel Core i5-750 wins in every recorded multi-threaded and single-threaded Cinebench scenario. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput in rendering or CPU-bound productivity tasks, the i5-750 is the clear choice based on the recorded data. Its four physical cores at a 2.67 GHz base clock and 3.20 GHz boost clock deliver consistently higher scores across all Cinebench iterations.

The Intel Core i3-5010U, despite losing every benchmark, has its own domain of advantage that the numbers do not capture directly. The database records show a 15 W TDP versus 95 W for the i5-750. This makes the i3-5010U suitable for thermally constrained environments where power consumption and heat dissipation are primary concerns. The i3-5010U also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 5500) whereas the i5-750 has none recorded, meaning the i5-750 requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

The i3-5010U also records a memory bandwidth figure of 25.6 GB/s, a specification not listed for the i5-750 in the database. For mobile or compact systems where a dedicated graphics card is not feasible, the i3-5010U's integrated graphics capability and lower power draw make it the practical choice, even if the raw compute benchmarks favor the older desktop chip.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-750 uses the Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfield codename, built on a 45 nm process node. It packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die. The i3-5010U uses the Broadwell architecture with the Broadwell-U codename, manufactured on a 14 nm process with 1,300 million transistors in a much smaller 82 mm² die.

The core configuration differs significantly: the i5-750 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-5010U has 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Both processors share the same per-core L1 cache (64 KB) and L2 cache (256 KB), but the L3 cache diverges sharply: 8 MB shared on the i5-750 versus 3 MB shared on the i3-5010U.

The process node difference is dramatic. The 45 nm Nehalem design from the i5-750 is three generations behind the 14 nm Broadwell process used by the i3-5010U, yet the older chip still wins every benchmark. This demonstrates that core count and cache size can outweigh process technology advantages in compute-heavy workloads.

The socket and platform differences are equally stark. The i5-750 uses Intel Socket 1156 and is a desktop part, while the i3-5010U uses Intel BGA 1168 and is a mobile processor. The i5-750 supports PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i3-5010U supports PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Both support dual-channel DDR3 memory and neither supports ECC memory. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The release dates are separated by over five years: the i5-750 launched on September 7, 2009, while the i3-5010U arrived on February 28, 2015. Both are now end-of-life products in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-750 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i3-5010U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i5-750 in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i5-750 scores 2172 versus 1823 for the i3-5010U, a 19.1% advantage in multi-core performance.

Q: Does the i3-5010U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i3-5010U includes Intel HD 5500 integrated graphics. The i5-750 has no integrated graphics recorded in the database.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The i5-750 has a 95 W TDP, while the i3-5010U has a 15 W TDP, a substantial difference in power requirements.

Q: Which processor is older?

A: The i5-750 was released on September 7, 2009, while the i3-5010U was released on February 28, 2015.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i5-750's average score of 747 is nearly identical to the Intel Core i5-4200U at 746 (0.2% difference) and the AMD A10 PRO-7800B at 746 (0.2%). The i3-5010U's average score of 734 is within 0.3% of the AMD Athlon X4 750K at 736 and the AMD Athlon Gold 3150U at 736.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-750 | Intel Core i3-5010U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.67 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | None |

| TDP | 95 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1156 | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Broadwell |

| Codename | Lynnfield | Broadwell-U |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 774 million | 1,300 million |

| Die Size | 296 mm² | 82 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 5500 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2009-09-07 | 2015-02-28 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $281 |

| Part Number | SLBLC | SR23Z |

The i5-750's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database, while the i3-5010U carries a launch MSRP of $281. Both processors are end-of-life products, both use dual-channel DDR3 memory, both lack ECC support, and both have locked multipliers. The i5-750's higher core count, larger cache, and higher clock speeds drive its consistent benchmark victories, while the i3-5010U's advantages lie in lower power consumption, integrated graphics, and a newer manufacturing process.