Intel Core i3-5020U vs Intel Core i5-670 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-670 wins every single head-to-head comparison recorded in the database. Across five Cinebench tests, the i5-670 outperforms the Intel Core i3-5020U by margins ranging from 12.9% to 13.4%. This is a clean sweep, with no test showing even a narrow victory for the mobile i3 part.

Starting with multi-core workloads, the i5-670 scores 216 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the i3-5020U scores 188, a 13% deficit for the latter. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-670 posts 904 against 787 for the i3-5020U, a 12.9% gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-670 reaches 2153, while the i3-5020U manages 1876, again a 12.9% difference. The consistency of these margins across different Cinebench iterations is notable: the relative performance gap does not widen or shrink as the workload scales.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-670 scores 127 versus 110 for the i3-5020U, a 13.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-670 posts 304 against 264, a 13.2% lead. The i5-670 also holds the edge in the only Geekbench test recorded for the i3-5020U, though no head-to-head Geekbench comparison exists in the database for the i5-670. The i3-5020U does have Geekbench scores of 1379 multi-core and 696 single-core, but the i5-670 lacks these entries, so a direct comparison is not possible.

Looking at aggregate scores, the i3-5020U has an average benchmark score of 757, while the i5-670 sits at 741. This is a curious inversion given the head-to-head results. The explanation lies in the different benchmark sets: the i3-5020U's average includes Geekbench results, which are not present for the i5-670. When limited to the shared Cinebench tests, the i5-670 is consistently ahead. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce the picture. The i3-5020U sits within 0.3% of chips like the Intel Xeon E5450 (756) and the Intel Core i5-3210M (758), while the i5-670 is statistically tied with the AMD Phenom II X4 B97 (741) and the Intel Xeon E5520 (742). Both processors land at the 20th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar overall tier despite the i5-670's consistent test-by-test advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is straightforward because the data shows no scenario where the i3-5020U comes out ahead in a shared benchmark. The i5-670 is the stronger choice for any workload represented in the Cinebench suite, which includes both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks. The i5-670's base clock of 3.47 GHz, boosted by up to 3.73 GHz, gives it a substantial frequency advantage over the i3-5020U's fixed 2.20 GHz. Since both CPUs have two cores and four threads, the performance difference comes down to clock speed and architectural efficiency rather than core count.

The i3-5020U does have one recorded advantage: its Geekbench scores, while not directly comparable to the i5-670, place it in a measurable performance band. A Geekbench multi-core score of 1379 and a single-core score of 696 indicate that the i3-5020U is a functional performer for everyday tasks. The i5-670's absence from Geekbench testing in the database means those numbers cannot be weighed against each other.

For power-sensitive applications, the i3-5020U is clearly the more restrained part, with a 15W TDP versus the i5-670's 73W TDP. This makes the i3-5020U suited to environments where thermal output and battery life are primary concerns, such as thin-and-light mobile systems. The i5-670, as a desktop part with a much higher power envelope, is geared toward sustained performance without the same thermal constraints. The data does not include power-efficiency benchmarks, but the TDP figures alone indicate a fundamentally different design intent.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and target different market segments. The i3-5020U is a Broadwell-U part built on Intel's 14 nm process, with 1,300 million transistors on a die size of 82 mm². It uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket and is classified as a mobile processor. The i5-670, by contrast, is a Clarkdale part from the Westmere architecture, built on a 32 nm process with 382 million transistors on an 81 mm² die. It uses the Intel Socket 1156 and is a desktop processor. The transistor counts are telling: the i3-5020U packs more than three times the transistors of the i5-670, a reflection of the newer process node and integrated features, even though the die sizes are nearly identical.

Both CPUs have two cores and four threads, so thread-level parallelism is equal. Cache configurations differ slightly. Each core has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 in both chips, but the shared L3 cache is 3 MB on the i3-5020U and 4 MB on the i5-670. The larger L3 on the older part may help in workloads with moderate cache reuse, though the benchmark data shows the i5-670's overall lead is driven more by its higher clocks than by cache capacity.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, with dual-channel buses. The i3-5020U has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 25.6 GB/s, versus 21.3 GB/s for the i5-670. Neither chip supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i3-5020U provides 12 PCIe Gen 2 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-670 provides 16 PCIe Gen 2 lanes. For a desktop system, the extra lanes on the i5-670 could matter for expansion, while the mobile i3-5020U has fewer connectivity demands.

Integrated graphics are present on both, but they are not equivalent. The i3-5020U features Intel HD 5500, while the i5-670 has a basic Intel HD solution. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so any performance claims about the iGPUs cannot be substantiated from the recorded data. The i3-5020U also carries a more recent release date, launching on 2015-02-28, while the i5-670 launched on 2010-01-06. Both are now end-of-life products. The launch MSRP for the i3-5020U was $281, and for the i5-670 it was $284.

The process node difference is significant. The 14 nm Broadwell process allows the i3-5020U to achieve its low 15W TDP while still delivering competitive per-clock performance. The 32 nm Clarkdale process on the i5-670 requires 73W to reach its higher clock speeds. This is a classic trade-off: the older desktop part uses far more power to deliver better raw performance, while the newer mobile part prioritizes efficiency. Neither multiplier is unlocked, so overclocking is not an option on either chip.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw performance: the Intel Core i5-670. It leads in every shared Cinebench test by roughly 13%, with margins of 12.9% to 13.4% across multi-core and single-core workloads. The i5-670's higher base and boost clocks, 3.47 GHz and 3.73 GHz respectively, translate directly into faster execution in these benchmarks. The i3-5020U, locked at 2.20 GHz, cannot match that throughput despite its newer architecture and larger transistor count.

However, the verdict is not purely about speed. The i3-5020U operates at a 15W TDP, a fraction of the i5-670's 73W TDP. For a mobile system where battery life and cooling are paramount, the i3-5020U is the only sensible choice between the two; the i5-670's power draw is simply not viable in a laptop chassis. The i3-5020U also offers higher memory bandwidth (25.6 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s), a newer integrated GPU (Intel HD 5500 versus Intel HD), and a more recent process node (14 nm versus 32 nm).

For desktop users who prioritize compute performance and have adequate cooling, the i5-670 is the better pick. Its 4 MB of L3 cache, higher clocks, and consistent 13% benchmark lead make it the stronger processor for CPU-bound tasks like rendering. The i5-670 also provides 16 PCIe Gen 2 lanes, four more than the i3-5020U, which may matter for expansion cards.

The i3-5020U's Geekbench scores, 1379 multi-core and 696 single-core, show it is a capable part for general use, and its position within 0.3% of rivals like the Intel Core i5-3210M and Intel Core i5-4250U indicates it competes well within its mobile segment. But against the i5-670 specifically, the recorded benchmarks do not show a single winning scenario. The choice comes down to platform: desktop users should favor the i5-670, while mobile users have no real option other than the i3-5020U.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-670 wins all recorded multi-core tests. It scores 216 in Cinebench R15, 904 in Cinebench R20, and 2153 in Cinebench R23, versus 188, 787, and 1876 for the Intel Core i3-5020U, respectively.

Q: How large is the performance gap in single-core tests?

A: The i5-670 leads by 13.4% in Cinebench R20 single-core (127 versus 110) and by 13.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core (304 versus 264).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i3-5020U has a 15W TDP, while the i5-670 has a 73W TDP.

Q: Which CPU supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The i5-670 supports 16 PCIe Gen 2 lanes from the CPU, while the i3-5020U supports 12 PCIe Gen 2 lanes.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The i3-5020U has an average benchmark score of 757, and the i5-670 has an average benchmark score of 741. The i5-670's average is lower despite winning all shared tests because the i3-5020U's average includes Geekbench results that are not recorded for the i5-670.