Intel Core i5-2320 vs Intel Core i5-5287U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear outcome: the Intel Core i5-2320 wins all five recorded head-to-head tests. The i5-2320 leads by margins between 21.2% and 21.6% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The i5-5287U does not record a single victory in the comparison. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the data unambiguously favors the desktop part.

However, the selection is not purely about scores. The i5-5287U is a 28W mobile processor with integrated Iris 6100 graphics, while the i5-2320 is a 95W desktop chip with Intel HD 2000. The database shows both CPUs sit at the 30th percentile versus all CPUs, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers. The i5-5287U's advantage lies in its newer 14nm process, smaller 133 mm² die, and significantly lower power envelope. The data does not include battery life or thermal tests, so those aspects are not quantified here, but the TDP figures alone suggest the mobile part is designed for constrained environments.

The verdict: choose the i5-2320 if the workload is purely compute-bound and the platform allows a 95W desktop chip. Choose the i5-5287U if the system must be compact, low-power, and include stronger integrated graphics. The benchmark results show the i5-2320 is faster, but the i5-5287U is the only option that makes sense in a thin laptop chassis. The i5-2320's nearest rival in the database is the Intel Core i5-3335S with an identical average score of 1083, while the i5-5287U matches the Intel Core i3-4170T at 1072. These adjacent scores reinforce that both chips are close in overall standing, despite the i5-2320's decisive win in the direct tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The i5-2320 uses Sandy Bridge, built on a 32nm process with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i5-5287U uses Broadwell-U, a 14nm design with 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die. The newer node allows the mobile chip to pack more transistors into less space while operating at a far lower TDP.

Core counts differ: the i5-2320 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Both support dual-channel DDR3 memory, but the i5-5287U lists a specific memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i5-2320 leaves that field unmeasured in the database. Cache sizes also diverge: the i5-2320 carries 6 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i5-5287U has 3 MB. L1 and L2 remain identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core respectively.

PCIe support differs as well. The i5-2320 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i5-5287U provides Gen 2 with 12 lanes. Integrated graphics are another split: the desktop chip uses Intel HD 2000, and the mobile chip uses Intel Iris 6100. The i5-5287U's socket is Intel BGA 1168, meaning it is soldered and not upgradeable, while the i5-2320 uses Intel Socket 1155, which allows installation on a desktop motherboard. Both are end-of-life products with locked multipliers. The i5-5287U has a launch MSRP of $315, while the i5-2320 has no recorded launch price in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-2320 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare?

A: The i5-2320 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-5287U has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a 3 MB difference in favor of the desktop part.

Q: What are the TDPs of each chip?

A: The i5-2320 has a TDP of 95W. The i5-5287U has a TDP of 28W. The mobile chip consumes significantly less power.

Q: Which chip has newer integrated graphics?

A: The i5-5287U features Intel Iris 6100. The i5-2320 features Intel HD 2000. The mobile part's graphics are more advanced.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. Both are listed as end-of-life in the database. The i5-2320 was released in September 2011, and the i5-5287U in February 2015.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i5-2320 scores 444, while the i5-5287U scores 366. The i5-2320 is 21.3% ahead in that test.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ, based on recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2320 | Intel Core i5-5287U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 95W | 28W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Broadwell |

| Codename | Sandy Bridge | Broadwell-U |

| Generation | Core i5 (Sandy Bridge) | Core i5 (Broadwell-U) |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,900 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 133 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 29.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 2, 12 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | Intel Iris 6100 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | September 2011 | February 2015 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $315 |

| Part Number | SR02L | SR26H |

Both chips use DDR3 memory, dual-channel bus, and do not support ECC. Both are Intel-manufactured and have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records five Cinebench tests comparing the two CPUs. The i5-2320 wins all five. The smallest margin is 21.2%, and the largest is 21.6%.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-2320 scores 317 against 261 for the i5-5287U. This is a 21.5% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore shows a similar pattern: 1321 for the i5-2320 versus 1090, a 21.2% difference. The R23 multicore test follows with 3146 versus 2596, again 21.2% ahead.

Single-core tests tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-2320 posts 186, while the i5-5287U posts 153. That is a 21.6% advantage, the largest margin in the comparison. Cinebench R23 single-core gives 444 versus 366, a 21.3% gap.

The i5-5287U has additional Geekbench scores in the database, but those are not part of the head-to-head set. Its Geekbench multicore score is 2007 and single-core is 1029. The i5-2320 does not have Geekbench records, so a direct comparison on that test is unavailable.

The consistent 21% margins across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads indicate the i5-2320's advantage is not tied to core count alone. It wins single-core by nearly the same percentage as multi-core, suggesting a per-thread performance gap driven by architecture and cache. The i5-5287U's two cores with four threads cannot compensate for the i5-2320's four physical cores and larger L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-2320 dominates all recorded benchmark categories. Its wins cover Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore variants. The data shows a 5-0 win record for the desktop chip. This makes it the clear choice for CPU-bound tasks such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computing, where multi-threaded performance matters. Its 21.5% lead in R15 multicore and 21.2% in R23 multicore demonstrate substantial throughput advantages.

The i5-5287U has no benchmark wins in this comparison, but it holds advantages in other recorded fields. Its TDP of 28W versus 95W means it generates far less heat and requires less cooling. Its 14nm process and 133 mm² die make it physically smaller and more efficient per transistor. The integrated Iris 6100 graphics outperform the HD 2000 in the i5-2320, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded here. The mobile chip also lists a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, which the desktop chip does not quantify.

For use-case selection: the i5-2320 fits a desktop tower with active cooling, where power draw is a minor concern and maximum compute is the goal. The i5-5287U fits a slim laptop or all-in-one system, where the 28W envelope and soldered BGA package are appropriate. The i5-5287U's release in 2015 also means it supports newer platform features, though the database does not list specific instruction set extensions. Neither chip is suitable for overclocking, as both have locked multipliers.

The i5-5287U's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-4170T, matches its average score of 1072 exactly. The i5-2320 matches the i5-3335S at 1083. These averages place both chips near the 30th percentile, meaning they are mid-low tier in the broader CPU landscape. The direct head-to-head, however, shows the i5-2320 is unequivocally faster. The i5-5287U's only logical wins are in power efficiency, physical footprint, and graphics capability, none of which are reflected in the Cinebench scores.