Intel Core i3-6320 vs Intel Core i5-5287U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture for this comparison. Across every recorded Cinebench workload, the Intel Core i3-6320 outperforms the Intel Core i5-5287U by a remarkably consistent margin. The database records five head-to-head tests, and the i3-6320 wins all five, with the i5-5287U failing to secure a single victory.

Starting with multi-core performance, the gap is substantial. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-6320 scores 378 points against the i5-5287U's 261 points, a delta of 44.8%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i3-6320 records 1576 points versus 1090 points for the i5-5287U, a 44.6% advantage. The most recent test generation, Cinebench R23 multi-core, shows the same story: the i3-6320 posts 3753 points while the i5-5287U manages 2596 points, again a 44.6% lead.

Single-core results are equally lopsided. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-6320 scores 222 points, which is 45.1% higher than the i5-5287U's 153 points. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a similar margin, with the i3-6320 at 529 points versus 366 points for the i5-5287U, a 44.5% delta. The consistency of these margins, all hovering just above or below 45%, suggests a fundamental performance advantage in the i3-6320's execution that applies uniformly across single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the i3-6320 holds an aggregate average of 1085 points, while the i5-5287U averages 1072 points. This is a slim overall difference of roughly 1%, but it is important to note that the i5-5287U's average is boosted by its Geekbench results, which are not present in the i3-6320's head-to-head data. The i5-5287U records a Geekbench multi-core score of 2007 and a single-core score of 1029, but these tests have no corresponding entry for the i3-6320 in the database, so they do not appear in the direct comparison.

When placed against their respective nearest rivals, both processors sit in a similar competitive tier. The i3-6320's average score of 1085 places it essentially level with the Intel Core i5-2450P (1086 points, -0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-2320 (1083 points, 0.2% delta), the Intel Core i5-3335S (1083 points, 0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i5-3350P (1088 points, -0.2% delta). The i5-5287U, with its 1072 average, matches the Intel Core i3-4170T exactly (0% delta), sits 0.1% ahead of the AMD Athlon X4 880K and AMD Opteron 3380, and trails the Intel Core i5-2310 by 0.1%. Both processors are in the 30th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they are not top-tier performers but occupy a solid middle ground.

The Verdict

The data points to a single, straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i3-6320 is the faster processor in every measurable Cinebench test. The margins are significant, consistently around 45%, which is a large performance gap between two processors with the same core and thread counts (2 cores, 4 threads). For users prioritizing raw CPU throughput in rendering or similar compute workloads, the i3-6320 is the clear choice based on the recorded results.

The i5-5287U, however, is a mobile part with a different design goal. It is marked as End-of-life production status, while the i3-6320 is Active. The i5-5287U has a launch MSRP of $315. The i3-6320 has no recorded launch MSRP. The i5's lower TDP (28 watts versus 51 watts) and its integrated Intel Iris 6100 graphics (versus the HD 530) suggest it is designed for thin and light laptops where power efficiency and GPU capability matter more than CPU throughput. In that context, the performance deficit is expected.

The data does not support a scenario where the i5-5287U wins on CPU compute. If the user's priority is single-thread speed, multi-thread speed, or Cinebench-derived productivity, the i3-6320 is the only rational pick from these two. If the user requires a mobile form factor, then the i5-5287U's existence in a laptop makes the comparison moot, but for pure performance, the i3-6320 dominates.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and are built for different market segments. The i3-6320 is a desktop part based on the Skylake architecture, with the codename "Skylake" and the generation listed as "Core i3 (Skylake)". The i5-5287U is a mobile part based on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the "Broadwell-U" codename, with the generation "Core i5 (Broadwell-U)".

Both use the same 14 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel, but the transistor counts differ. The i5-5287U has a higher transistor count at 1,900 million, whereas the i3-6320 has 1,400 million. Physical die sizes also differ: the i5-5287U has a smaller die at 133 mm², while the i3-6320 is larger at 150 mm². This suggests the mobile chip integrates more functionality (likely including more graphics execution units) into a smaller area.

The memory interface is a key architectural divergence. The i3-6320 supports DDR4 memory, whereas the i5-5287U supports DDR3. The i3-6320 also has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s compared to 29.9 GB/s for the i5-5287U. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the DDR4 support on the i3-6320 is a fundamental generational difference.

PCIe connectivity also separates them. The i3-6320 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-5287U provides PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). This is a major distinction for expandability: the desktop part offers a newer generation and more lanes, which is appropriate for discrete GPUs and NVMe storage.

The integrated graphics are another architectural difference. The i3-6320 uses Intel HD 530, while the i5-5287U uses Intel Iris 6100. The Iris branding typically indicates a more capable graphics solution for a mobile part, though the benchmark data does not include GPU-specific tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several specification fields. The most obvious difference is the socket. The i3-6320 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop platform, while the i5-5287U uses Intel BGA 1168, a soldered mobile package.

Base clocks are different: the i3-6320 runs at 3.90 GHz with no boost clock recorded, while the i5-5287U runs at a lower 2.90 GHz base but has a 3.30 GHz boost clock. The i3-6320's higher sustained clock speed is likely the primary driver of its benchmark advantage.

TDP is a major differentiator. The i3-6320 has a 51-watt TDP, while the i5-5287U has a 28-watt TDP. The i5-5287U uses significantly less power, which is essential for mobile battery life.

Cache allocation is also different. The i3-6320 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-5287U has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. L1 and L2 caches are the same at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively.

Market segment and production status differ. The i3-6320 is a Desktop part that is Active, while the i5-5287U is a Mobile part that is End-of-life. Release dates are close, but not identical: the i5-5287U was released earlier on February 28, 2015, while the i3-6320 came later on August 31, 2015.

The i5-5287U has a launch MSRP of $315. The i3-6320 has no launch MSRP recorded. Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory. The part numbers are SR2H9 for the i3-6320 and SR26H for the i5-5287U.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i3-6320, with a score of 3753 points versus 2596 points for the i5-5287U, a 44.6% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i3-6320 has a TDP of 51 watts, while the i5-5287U has a TDP of 28 watts.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

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

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The i3-6320 supports DDR4 memory, while the i5-5287U supports DDR3 memory.

Q: What is the integrated graphics solution on each?

A: The i3-6320 uses Intel HD 530, while the i5-5287U uses Intel Iris 6100.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i3-6320 is listed as Active, while the i5-5287U is listed as End-of-life.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The i3-6320 has an average benchmark score of 1085, and the i5-5287U has an average of 1072.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for the i5-5287U?

A: The i5-5287U has a launch MSRP of $315.