Intel Core i5-5200U vs Intel Core i7-3520M Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3520M and Intel Core i5-5200U are both dual-core mobile processors with four threads, but they come from different eras and design philosophies. The i7-3520M is a higher-power part from the Ivy Bridge generation, while the i5-5200U is a low-power Broadwell chip. Benchmark results show a clear split: the older i7 dominates in Cinebench multi-threaded workloads, while the newer i5 wins decisively in Geekbench tests. With 5 wins for the i7 and 2 for the i5, the data tells a story of raw throughput versus architectural efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Geekbench reversal. In Geekbench single-core, the Core i5-5200U scores 742 against the i7-3520M’s 570, a 23.2% advantage. The multi-core Geekbench result is similar, with the i5 at 1464 versus 1156, a 21% lead. This is a major upset, as the i7 has a higher base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost of 3.60 GHz, compared to the i5’s 2.20 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. The i5’s newer Broadwell architecture and 14 nm process node clearly deliver better per-clock performance in these tests.

However, the Cinebench suite tells the opposite story. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-3520M scores 2426, which is 14.2% ahead of the i5’s 2125. The single-core R23 result shows a 14% lead for the i7, 342 versus 300. This pattern holds across the entire Cinebench family. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i7 scores 1018 against 892 for the i5, a 14.1% difference. The R20 single-core test shows 143 versus 126, a 13.5% edge for the i7. Even the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the i7 winning 244 to 214, a 14% gap.

What explains this divergence? The i7-3520M has a 4 MB shared L3 cache, while the i5-5200U has only 3 MB. The i7 also has a 35 W TDP, more than double the i5’s 15 W, allowing it to sustain higher clocks under load. Cinebench appears to reward the i7’s higher sustained clock speeds and larger cache, while Geekbench seems to favor the i5’s superior IPC from the Broadwell architecture. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 843 for the i7 and 838 for the i5 — which places both in the same performance tier, but their strengths are polar opposites.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M has an average benchmark score of 843, while the Intel Core i5-5200U scores 838. The difference is only 0.6%, which puts them in the same performance class according to the aggregate data.

Q: How does the i5-5200U compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i5-5200U’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3380M with an identical average score of 838 and a 0% delta. It trails the Intel Xeon X5470 (839) by 0.2% and the Intel Core i7-920 (840) by 0.3%, while beating the Intel Xeon X3450 (837) by 0.1%.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark margin between these two CPUs?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where the i5-5200U wins by 23.2% with a score of 742 versus 570. The second-largest is Geekbench multi-core, with the i5 ahead by 21%.

Q: Does the i7-3520M win any benchmark by more than 15%?

A: No. The i7’s largest winning margin is 14.2% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (2426 vs 2125). All five of its wins fall between 13.5% and 14.2%, making its victories consistent but not overwhelming.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i5-5200U is marked as "End-of-life" in the data. No production status is listed for the i7-3520M. This means the i5 is officially discontinued, while the i7’s status is unspecified.

Q: How do these CPUs rank against all other processors?

A: The i7-3520M sits at the 23rd percentile, while the i5-5200U is at the 22nd percentile. This means both are in the lower quarter of all CPUs in the database, though they are closely matched in overall standing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The i7-3520M uses Ivy Bridge, Intel’s 22 nm process, with a die size of 118 mm². The i5-5200U uses Broadwell-U, built on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 82 mm² and 1,300 million transistors. The smaller node gives the i5 a density advantage, which likely contributes to its better energy efficiency and higher IPC in Geekbench.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both share 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i7 has 4 MB of shared L3, while the i5 has 3 MB. This 1 MB difference may explain the i7’s stronger Cinebench results, as rendering workloads often benefit from larger last-level caches. The i7 also lacks listed transistor count, while the i5’s 1,300 million transistors are documented.

Integrated graphics are another differentiator. The i7-3520M ships with Intel HD 4000, while the i5-5200U has Intel HD 5500. The newer HD 5500 in the i5 is part of the Broadwell generation and pairs with the i5’s 14 nm process, which typically improves media and display capabilities. The i7’s HD 4000 is older and lacks the architectural refinements of the i5’s graphics solution.

The memory support also differs. The i5-5200U explicitly supports DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3520M has no memory support listed in the data. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i5 also has PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i7 has no PCIe specification listed, indicating a possible limitation in expansion capability for the older chip.

Finally, the sockets are incompatible. The i7 uses Intel BGA 1023, while the i5 uses Intel BGA 1168. This means they are not drop-in interchangeable in the same motherboard. The i7’s 35 W TDP versus the i5’s 15 W TDP also reflects their intended use cases: the i7 for performance-oriented laptops, the i5 for ultraportables and fanless designs.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is clock speed. The i7-3520M runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost, while the i5-5200U runs at 2.20 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. The i7 has a 0.70 GHz advantage at base and 0.90 GHz at boost. This is a significant gap, but the i5’s newer architecture compensates in some workloads.

Power consumption is starkly different. The i7 has a 35 W TDP, while the i5 has a 15 W TDP. This more than 2x difference means the i5 generates less heat and requires less cooling, making it suitable for thinner laptops. The i7 needs a more robust cooling solution, which typically limits its use to bulkier chassis.

L3 cache differs by 1 MB, with the i7 having 4 MB and the i5 having 3 MB. The process node also differs, with the i7 on 22 nm and the i5 on 14 nm. Die size is 118 mm² for the i7 and 82 mm² for the i5. The i5 has 1,300 million transistors listed, while the i7 has no transistor count. The i5 supports DDR3 memory explicitly with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7 has no memory support field. The i5 has PCIe Gen 2, 12 lanes, while the i7 has no PCIe data. The integrated graphics differ: HD 4000 for the i7, HD 5500 for the i5. The sockets are different, and the release dates are 2012-06-02 for the i7 and 2015-02-28 for the i5. The i5 has a launch MSRP of $281, while the i7 has none listed. The i5 is end-of-life, the i7 has no status. The part numbers are SR0MU for the i7 and SR23Y for the i5.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. The i7-3520M wins 5 of 7 benchmarks, all in Cinebench, with margins between 13.5% and 14.2%. The i5-5200U wins 2 benchmarks, both in Geekbench, with margins of 21% and 23.2%. The i7’s wins are consistent but narrow, while the i5’s wins are decisive but limited to one test suite.

For multi-threaded rendering workloads, the i7-3520M is the clear choice. Its 14% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (2426 vs 2125) is meaningful for any task that scales across cores. The i7’s higher 35 W TDP and 4 MB L3 cache appear to give it sustained performance under load. If you are running Cinebench, video encoding, or similar multi-threaded tasks, the i7 will finish noticeably faster.

The i5-5200U is superior for single-threaded and memory-sensitive tasks, as shown by its 23.2% Geekbench single-core win. The 14 nm process and Broadwell architecture deliver better IPC, which matters for everyday responsiveness, web browsing, and office applications. The i5 also offers a lower TDP, which means quieter operation and longer battery life in a laptop.

The average scores are nearly identical, with the i7 at 843 and the i5 at 838. This means for general-purpose use, the two will feel similar in aggregate. The choice depends entirely on your workload. The i7 is for those who prioritize raw compute consistency, while the i5 is for those who value efficiency and modern features like PCIe Gen 2 and DDR3 support.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-3520M Wins: All five Cinebench tests are decisive wins for the i7. This includes Cinebench R15 multi-core (244 vs 214), R20 multi-core (1018 vs 892), R20 single-core (143 vs 126), R23 multi-core (2426 vs 2125), and R23 single-core (342 vs 300). The i7’s advantage in these tests is tightly clustered around 14%, indicating a consistent performance edge in rendering tasks. The larger 4 MB L3 cache and higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz are likely contributors. If your workflow involves Cinebench, 3D rendering, or other CPU-intensive multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3520M is the stronger part.

Intel Core i5-5200U Wins: Both Geekbench tests are clear wins for the i5. The single-core score of 742 versus 570 is a 23.2% margin, and the multi-core score of 1464 versus 1156 is a 21% margin. These are the largest deltas in the entire head-to-head comparison. The i5’s 14 nm process and Broadwell architecture give it superior per-clock performance, which shines in Geekbench’s mixed workload. The 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and DDR3 support also help in memory-access-heavy tasks. For general computing, web browsing, and office productivity, the i5-5200U will feel faster despite its lower clock speeds. It also has the advantage of a 15 W TDP, making it better suited for thin, light laptops with limited cooling. The i5’s end-of-life status and launch MSRP of $281 are noted, but the performance data stands on its own.