Intel Core i5-5287U vs Intel Core i7-2820QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5287U and Intel Core i7-2820QM are two very different mobile processors that, despite their similar average benchmark scores, deliver opposite performance profiles. The data shows a clear split: the older quad-core i7-2820QM dominates heavily in Cinebench workloads, while the newer dual-core i5-5287U wins decisively in Geekbench tests. With an average benchmark score of 1072 versus 1069, and percentile rankings of 30 versus 29, these chips are statistically near-identical in overall performance, but the path each takes to that result could not be more different.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-2820QM wins five of the seven head-to-head benchmarks, and it does so by a wide margin in every Cinebench test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-2820QM scores 372 against 261 for the i5-5287U, a delta of -29.8%. That same -29.8% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore (1552 vs 1090) and Cinebench R23 multicore (3697 vs 2596). The pattern is consistent across generations of the Cinebench suite: the i7-2820QM is roughly 30% faster in multi-threaded rendering workloads.

Single-core Cinebench results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-2820QM scores 219 versus 153 for the i5-5287U, a -30.1% delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-2820QM scores 522 versus 366, a -29.9% delta. Even in a single-threaded test, the older Sandy Bridge chip maintains its advantage. This is a remarkable outcome given that the i5-5287U has a higher base clock (2.90 GHz vs 2.30 GHz) and a nearly identical boost clock (3.30 GHz vs 3.40 GHz).

The i5-5287U's wins come in Geekbench, and they are substantial. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-5287U scores 2007 against 1623 for the i7-2820QM, a 23.7% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-5287U scores 1029 against just 517, a 99% advantage — essentially double the performance. This 99% delta is the single largest margin in the entire comparison, and it signals a fundamental difference in how these two chips handle the Geekbench workload.

The average scores reinforce the near-parity: the i5-5287U has an average benchmark score of 1072, while the i7-2820QM sits at 1069. The nearest rivals for the i5-5287U include the Intel Core i3-4170T at 1072 (0% delta) and the AMD Athlon X4 880K at 1071 (0.1% delta). For the i7-2820QM, the nearest rival is the Intel Processor N95 at 1070 (-0.1% delta), with the i5-5287U itself listed at 1072 (-0.3% delta). These two chips are effectively each other's competition in aggregate scoring.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5287U has an average benchmark score of 1072, compared to 1069 for the Intel Core i7-2820QM. The difference is just 3 points, or roughly 0.3%.

Q: How much faster is the i7-2820QM in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-2820QM scores 3697 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the i5-5287U scores 2596. This represents a -29.8% delta, meaning the i7-2820QM is about 30% ahead.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where the i5-5287U scores 1029 against 517 for the i7-2820QM, a 99% advantage. The i5-5287U is essentially twice as fast in this test.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-5287U uses Intel BGA 1168, while the i7-2820QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). They are not socket-compatible.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i7-2820QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The i7-2820QM has double the core and thread count.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-5287U has a TDP of 28 watts, while the i7-2820QM has a TDP of 45 watts. The i7-2820QM draws significantly more power.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2820QM is the clear winner for multi-threaded rendering and content creation tasks. Its Cinebench results are consistently about 30% higher across R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. The 4-core, 8-thread configuration with 8 MB of shared L3 cache gives it a structural advantage in workloads that scale with core count. For video encoding, 3D rendering, or any task that utilizes multiple threads, the data strongly favors the i7-2820QM.

The i5-5287U wins where single-core performance and memory bandwidth matter. Its 99% advantage in Geekbench single-core (1029 vs 517) is overwhelming, and its 23.7% lead in Geekbench multicore (2007 vs 1623) shows that even in multi-threaded Geekbench scenarios, the newer architecture prevails. The i5-5287U also supports DDR3 memory with 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth, which contributes to its Geekbench performance. The i7-2820QM has no listed memory bandwidth figure, indicating the i5-5287U has better-documented memory capabilities.

For general productivity and everyday tasks, the i5-5287U is the better choice based on Geekbench results. The 30th percentile ranking versus the 29th percentile ranking confirms that the i5-5287U sits slightly higher in the overall CPU distribution. The i5-5287U also has a more advanced integrated GPU (Intel Iris 6100 vs Intel HD 3000), which matters for light graphics work without a discrete card.

Specification Differences

The core count difference is the most fundamental: the i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-2820QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds differ, with the i5-5287U base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 2.30 GHz for the i7-2820QM, but the boost clocks are close at 3.30 GHz and 3.40 GHz respectively.

TDP is a major differentiator: 28 watts for the i5-5287U versus 45 watts for the i7-2820QM. The socket is also different — Intel BGA 1168 for the i5-5287U versus Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7-2820QM. The i5-5287U has a launch MSRP of $315; no launch MSRP is listed for the i7-2820QM.

Memory support differs: the i5-5287U lists DDR3 support with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-2820QM lists no memory support type or bandwidth. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe support is listed only for the i5-5287U as Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only); no PCIe data exists for the i7-2820QM.

The integrated graphics differ significantly: Intel Iris 6100 for the i5-5287U versus Intel HD 3000 for the i7-2820QM. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Both have 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache differs: 3 MB shared for the i5-5287U versus 8 MB shared for the i7-2820QM.

Architecture Differences

The i5-5287U is built on Broadwell architecture (codename Broadwell-U) using a 14 nm process node. The i7-2820QM uses Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process node. This process advantage is significant — the i5-5287U is built at half the lithography scale.

Transistor counts reflect the architectural leap: the i5-5287U has 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die, while the i7-2820QM has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i5-5287U packs more transistors into a smaller area, which explains its lower TDP (28W vs 45W) despite newer features.

Cache hierarchy differs at the L3 level: the i5-5287U has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-2820QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both use 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core. The larger L3 cache on the i7-2820QM helps its Cinebench performance despite the older architecture.

The release dates show a 4-year gap: the i7-2820QM was released in 2011, while the i5-5287U was released in 2015. Both are end-of-life products. The i5-5287U belongs to the Core i5 (Broadwell-U) generation, while the i7-2820QM belongs to the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) generation. The integrated GPU differs at the architectural level: Intel Iris 6100 versus Intel HD 3000.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload. For multi-threaded rendering in Cinebench, the i7-2820QM is the superior processor, delivering a consistent ~30% advantage across R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. Its 4 cores, 8 threads, and 8 MB of L3 cache make it the right pick for content creation workloads that scale with parallelism.

For single-core performance and Geekbench-oriented tasks, the i5-5287U is the definitive winner. A 99% lead in Geekbench single-core and a 23.7% lead in Geekbench multicore demonstrate that the Broadwell architecture's efficiency and higher clocks translate to dramatically better performance in these tests. The 28W TDP also makes it the more power-efficient option.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1072 vs 1069), so the aggregate picture shows two chips that perform at the same level overall. The i5-5287U edges out the i7-2820QM in percentile ranking (30 vs 29) and has the better integrated GPU (Iris 6100 vs HD 3000). The i7-2820QM counters with double the cores and more than double the L3 cache.

Buyers should pick the i7-2820QM if their primary applications are multi-threaded rendering workloads. The data shows it is the clear winner in Cinebench across all versions. Buyers should pick the i5-5287U for single-threaded performance, general productivity, and lower power consumption. The Geekbench results and the 28W TDP make it the better all-around mobile processor. Given that both are end-of-life, the i5-5287U's newer architecture and massive single-core advantage make it the more future-proof choice for everyday use.