Intel Core i3-5020U vs Intel Core i7-860S Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-5020U has an average benchmark score of 757, while the Intel Core i7-860S scores 740. The i3-5020U sits 0.1% above the Intel Xeon E5450 and 0.2% above the Intel Core i5-4250U, while the i7-860S is 0.1% above the Intel Pentium G4400.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Geekbench single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-5020U wins by a wide margin, scoring 696 versus 425 for the Intel Core i7-860S, a 63.8% advantage. This is the largest performance gap between the two in any recorded benchmark.

Q: Which processor has the higher core and thread count?

A: The Intel Core i7-860S has 4 cores and 8 threads, double the 2 cores and 4 threads of the Intel Core i3-5020U.

Q: What is the difference in process node between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i3-5020U is built on a 14 nm process with 1,300 million transistors on an 82 mm² die, while the Intel Core i7-860S uses a 45 nm process with 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-5020U includes Intel HD 5500 graphics. The Intel Core i7-860S has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR3 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. The Intel Core i3-5020U has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core i7-860S has no memory bandwidth figure recorded.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-5020U and Intel Core i7-860S represent two very different design eras and market segments. The i3-5020U is a Broadwell-U mobile chip built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the i7-860S is a Nehalem desktop part fabricated on the older 45 nm node. This process gap explains much of the efficiency difference: the i3-5020U carries a 15 W TDP, while the i7-860S draws 82 W.

The transistor counts reflect the architectural shift. The i3-5020U packs 1,300 million transistors into an 82 mm² die, a remarkably dense design. The i7-860S uses 774 million transistors spread across a much larger 296 mm² die. The newer process allows the mobile chip to achieve higher density, while the older desktop chip needs far more silicon area for fewer transistors.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both processors allocate 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is notably different: the i3-5020U has 3 MB shared, while the i7-860S has 8 MB shared. This larger cache pool benefits the desktop chip in multi-threaded workloads where data reuse across cores matters.

The socket and platform targets are entirely separate. The i3-5020U uses Intel BGA 1168, a soldered mobile socket, while the i7-860S uses Intel Socket 1156, a desktop socket. PCIe support also differs: the i3-5020U provides Gen 2 with 12 lanes, whereas the i7-860S provides Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Clock behavior further separates the two. The i3-5020U has a fixed base clock of 2.20 GHz with no boost clock recorded, while the i7-860S has a base clock of 2.53 GHz and a boost clock of 3.47 GHz. The i7-860S can raise its frequency substantially under load, which contributes to its multi-core benchmark wins despite the older architecture.

The integrated graphics situation is a clear differentiator. The i3-5020U includes Intel HD 5500, making it a complete package for compact or mobile systems. The i7-860S has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Both processors are end-of-life products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i3-5020U launched in 2015 with a launch MSRP of $281. The i7-860S launched in 2010 with no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a split picture. The Intel Core i7-860S wins the Cinebench suite across the board, while the Intel Core i3-5020U dominates Geekbench, especially in single-core.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-860S scores 202 against 188 for the i3-5020U, a 6.9% advantage. The pattern continues in Cinebench R20 multi-core: 844 versus 787, a 6.8% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 2010 versus 1876, a 6.7% gap. These results indicate that the i7-860S's extra two cores and four threads give it a consistent edge in rendering workloads that scale with core count.

Single-core Cinebench results follow the same direction but with a smaller margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-860S scores 118 versus 110, a 6.8% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 283 versus 264, a 6.7% gap. The i7-860S's higher base clock of 2.53 GHz and boost clock of 3.47 GHz likely explain this advantage over the i3-5020U's fixed 2.20 GHz.

The Geekbench results reverse the trend dramatically. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-5020U scores 1379 versus 1298 for the i7-860S, a 6.2% win. This is notable because the i7-860S has twice as many cores and threads. The newer Broadwell architecture appears to compensate for the core count deficit in this particular workload.

Geekbench single-core is where the i3-5020U delivers its most decisive victory. It scores 696 against 425 for the i7-860S, a staggering 63.8% difference. This is the largest delta in any head-to-head test and suggests that the Broadwell core is substantially more efficient at single-threaded execution, likely due to architectural improvements and the more advanced 14 nm process.

The wins tally is 2 for the i3-5020U and 5 for the i7-860S. However, the magnitude of the i3-5020U's Geekbench single-core win is far greater than any individual Cinebench margin, which complicates any simple "winner" narrative.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-5020U | Intel Core i7-860S |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.53 GHz |

| Boost clock | None recorded | 3.47 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 82 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1168 | Intel Socket 1156 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Nehalem |

| Process node | 14 nm | 45 nm |

| Transistors | 1,300 million | 774 million |

| Die size | 82 mm² | 296 mm² |

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

| Memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 12 lanes | Gen 2, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 5500 | None |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | $281 | Not recorded |

Both processors share DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory buses, 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, no ECC memory support, and locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-860S wins in rendering and multi-threaded productivity. Its 4 cores and 8 threads deliver consistent advantages across all three Cinebench versions tested. The 8 MB shared L3 cache and boost clock of 3.47 GHz also support workloads that benefit from higher sustained frequencies and larger cache pools. The 16 PCIe Gen 2 lanes make it suitable for desktop systems with discrete graphics and multiple expansion cards.

The Intel Core i3-5020U wins in single-threaded performance and efficiency. Its 63.8% Geekbench single-core lead over the i7-860S is decisive, and its 6.2% Geekbench multi-core win shows that architectural efficiency can overcome a core count disadvantage in certain workloads. The 15 W TDP and integrated Intel HD 5500 graphics make it suitable for compact, low-power mobile systems where thermal and power constraints are primary concerns.

For multi-core Cinebench workloads, the i7-860S is the better choice. For Geekbench-style tasks that emphasize per-core throughput, the i3-5020U is clearly superior. The i3-5020U also holds a significant advantage in the average benchmark score comparison, 757 versus 740.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-860S is the pick for users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering performance. It wins all five Cinebench comparisons, with margins between 6.7% and 6.9%. Its 8 threads and 8 MB L3 cache provide a solid foundation for heavily threaded applications, and its boost clock of 3.47 GHz helps in lightly threaded scenarios within the Cinebench suite.

The Intel Core i3-5020U is the pick for users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness and energy efficiency. Its 63.8% Geekbench single-core advantage is overwhelming, and its 6.2% Geekbench multi-core win proves that the newer Broadwell architecture delivers better per-clock performance. The 15 W TDP, integrated graphics, and mobile socket make it the logical choice for laptops and compact systems.

The data does not declare a single overall winner. The i7-860S holds the Cinebench crown, while the i3-5020U holds the Geekbench crown and the higher average benchmark score. A user running Cinebench-heavy workloads should choose the i7-860S. A user running Geekbench-style applications or seeking lower power consumption should choose the i3-5020U. The i3-5020U also matches or exceeds the i7-860S in the multi-core Geekbench test, making it the more versatile chip despite its lower core count.