Intel Core i3-5157U vs Intel Core i7-4500U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear, though not overwhelming, victory for the Intel Core i3-5157U, which wins six of the seven head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The only exception is Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i7-4500U takes a decisive lead.

The most significant margin of victory for the i3-5157U appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it scores 222 against the i7-4500U's 212, a 4.7% advantage. This pattern repeats across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i3-5157U posts 925 versus 887, a 4.3% lead. The R23 multicore test shows a similar gap: 2203 versus 2113, again 4.3% ahead. These consistent multicore wins indicate that the i3-5157U's higher base clock, 2.50 GHz versus the i7-4500U's 1800.00 MHz, provides a sustained advantage in threaded workloads.

Single-core performance in the Cinebench tests also favors the i3-5157U. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 130 versus 125, a 4% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core records 311 versus 298, a 4.4% advantage. These results are notable because the i7-4500U possesses a boost clock of 3.00 GHz, which should theoretically boost its single-thread performance. Yet, the measured data does not support that expectation in the Cinebench tests.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the i3-5157U edges out the i7-4500U by a razor-thin margin: 1568 versus 1562, a mere 0.4% difference. This is effectively a statistical tie. However, in Geekbench single-core, the i7-4500U wins outright with a score of 818 against the i3-5157U's 778, a 4.9% advantage. This is the largest delta recorded in the entire comparison, and it suggests that the i7-4500U's turbo boost behavior is more effective in certain single-threaded applications, despite the i3-5157U's higher base frequency.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall balance. The i3-5157U holds an average score of 877 across all recorded tests, while the i7-4500U sits at 859. Both processors land at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy the same performance tier. The nearest rivals for the i3-5157U include the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U at 880 (0.3% higher), the AMD PRO A12-8870E at 880 (0.4% higher), and the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 at 881 (0.4% higher). For the i7-4500U, the nearest rivals are the AMD A8-7650K at 860 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i5-2500T at 856 (0.3% lower), and the Intel Xeon W3520 at 862 (0.3% higher).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i3-5157U wins six of the seven head-to-head tests, with the only loss coming in Geekbench single-core.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i7-4500U leads by 4.9% (818 versus 778).

Q: Are these processors in the same overall performance bracket?

A: Yes, both are at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: 877 for the i3-5157U and 859 for the i7-4500U.

Q: How does the i3-5157U perform in multicore workloads?

A: It leads in every multicore test, with deltas ranging from 0.4% in Geekbench multicore to 4.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore.

Q: Does the i7-4500U have any consistent strengths?

A: The data shows a single, notable strength: Geekbench single-core, where it outperforms the i3-5157U by a clear margin.

Q: What do the Cinebench scores indicate about sustained performance?

A: The i3-5157U consistently scores higher across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore tests, suggesting a steady performance advantage in rendering-style workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The Intel Core i3-5157U is built on Broadwell, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, while the Intel Core i7-4500U uses Haswell, with the Haswell-ULT codename. This architectural split is reflected in the manufacturing process: the i3-5157U uses a 14 nm node, while the i7-4500U uses a 22 nm node. The smaller process node for the i3-5157U allows for a higher transistor count: 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die, compared to 1,300 million transistors on a 118 mm² die for the i7-4500U.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i7-4500U: 4 MB shared versus 3 MB shared on the i3-5157U. This extra cache may contribute to the i7-4500U's Geekbench single-core victory, as larger caches can improve hit rates in certain workloads.

The integrated graphics solutions are different. The i3-5157U carries Intel Iris 6100, while the i7-4500U carries Intel HD 4400. This is a significant feature split, as the Iris 6100 is a higher-tier graphics solution, which could matter for multimedia or light gaming use cases. The i3-5157U also has a higher TDP at 28 watts, versus 15 watts for the i7-4500U, indicating that the i3-5157U is designed to draw more power in exchange for higher sustained performance.

Memory support shows a difference in the recorded data. Both support DDR3, but the i3-5157U specifies a dual-channel memory bus with a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The i7-4500U's memory bus and bandwidth fields are not recorded in the database, so no comparison can be made there. The i3-5157U also lists PCIe support as Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-4500U has no PCIe data recorded.

Release dates place these chips in different eras: the i3-5157U launched on 2015-02-28, while the i7-4500U launched earlier on 2013-06-03. The i3-5157U is marked as end-of-life in production status, and its launch MSRP is $315. The i7-4500U has no launch MSRP recorded, and its production status is not specified.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors according to the database:

• Base clock: The i3-5157U runs at 2.50 GHz, while the i7-4500U runs at 1800.00 MHz with a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The i3-5157U has no boost clock recorded.
• TDP: The i3-5157U is rated at 28 watts, the i7-4500U at 15 watts.
• Architecture and codename: Broadwell (Broadwell-U) versus Haswell (Haswell-ULT).
• Process node: 14 nm versus 22 nm.
• Transistors: 1,900 million versus 1,300 million.
• Die size: 133 mm² versus 118 mm².
• L3 cache: 3 MB shared versus 4 MB shared.
• Integrated graphics: Intel Iris 6100 versus Intel HD 4400.
• Memory bus and bandwidth: The i3-5157U has a dual-channel bus with 29.9 GB/s; the i7-4500U has no data recorded for either field.
• PCIe: The i3-5157U lists Gen 2, 12 lanes (CPU only); the i7-4500U has no PCIe data.
• Release date: 2015-02-28 versus 2013-06-03.
• Launch MSRP: The i3-5157U has a recorded launch MSRP of $315; the i7-4500U has none.
• Part number: SR26M for the i3-5157U, SR16Z for the i7-4500U.

The two share several specifications: both have 2 cores and 4 threads, both use the Intel BGA 1168 socket, both support DDR3 memory, both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 cache per core, both lack ECC support, both are mobile segment parts, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i3-5157U as the stronger processor in the majority of measured workloads. It wins all four Cinebench tests (R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R20 single-core, R23 multicore, R23 single-core) and the Geekbench multicore test. Its wins range from a narrow 0.4% in Geekbench multicore to a solid 4.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore. In every Cinebench test, the i3-5157U holds a lead of at least 4%, which demonstrates consistent superiority in rendering and CPU-intensive tasks.

The i7-4500U's single win, Geekbench single-core by 4.9%, is significant but isolated. The i3-5157U also posts a higher average benchmark score (877 versus 859) and a lower power draw is not a factor in the benchmark results, though the 28-watt TDP of the i3-5157U versus the 15-watt TDP of the i7-4500U is a consideration for thermal design.

For users prioritizing raw performance across a broad set of tests, the i3-5157U is the clear choice from this data. The i7-4500U, however, offers a meaningful advantage in single-threaded Geekbench workloads, which may indicate better turbo behavior in certain applications. Neither processor is near the top of the overall CPU rankings, as both sit at the 23rd percentile, but within this pairing, the i3-5157U is the benchmark winner.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i3-5157U wins in: Cinebench R15 multicore (222 versus 212, 4.7% ahead), Cinebench R20 multicore (925 versus 887, 4.3% ahead), Cinebench R20 single-core (130 versus 125, 4% ahead), Cinebench R23 multicore (2203 versus 2113, 4.3% ahead), Cinebench R23 single-core (311 versus 298, 4.4% ahead), and Geekbench multicore (1568 versus 1562, 0.4% ahead). These results make it the superior processor for multi-threaded productivity tasks, content creation, and any application that scales across multiple cores. Its 14 nm process and higher transistor count also suggest a more modern design, though the benchmark data alone is the basis for this recommendation.

Intel Core i7-4500U wins in: Geekbench single-core (818 versus 778, 4.9% ahead). This is the only test where the i7-4500U leads, and the margin is the largest of any comparison. This suggests that for single-threaded, short-duration workloads that rely on turbo boost, the i7-4500U may deliver better responsiveness. Its larger 4 MB L3 cache, compared to the i3-5157U's 3 MB, could also contribute to this result. Additionally, its 15-watt TDP makes it a lower-power part, which may be preferable for fanless or ultra-thin designs, even though this is not directly reflected in the benchmark scores.