Intel Core i5-5350U vs Intel Core i7-860 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture: the Intel Core i7-860 wins all five recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i5-5350U. In every test, the margin is nearly identical, ranging from a 14.5% deficit to a 14.7% deficit for the i5-5350U. This uniformity across different workloads suggests a fundamental performance gap rather than workload-specific advantages.

Starting with the multi-core tests, the i7-860 records 259 points in Cinebench R15 multicore, while the i5-5350U scores 221 points. That is a 14.7% difference in favor of the older desktop processor. The pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-860 posts 1081 points versus 923 points for the i5-5350U, a 14.6% gap. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows the same relationship: the i7-860 achieves 2574 points, while the i5-5350U manages 2198 points, again a 14.6% difference.

Single-core results tell the same story, albeit with slightly different magnitudes. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-860 scores 152 points, and the i5-5350U scores 130 points, a 14.5% gap. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the i7-860 at 363 points and the i5-5350U at 310 points, a 14.6% difference. Notably, the i5-5350U does have additional benchmark entries in the database, including Geekbench multicore at 1671 points and Geekbench single-core at 868 points, but the i7-860 has no corresponding Geekbench scores recorded, so a direct comparison on those tests is not possible from the available data.

The average benchmark score for the i5-5350U is 903 points, while the i7-860 averages 886 points. This is a curious inversion: even though the i7-860 wins every head-to-head test, its overall average is slightly lower. The explanation lies in the benchmark composition. The i5-5350U has seven recorded scores, including two Geekbench tests that are absent for the i7-860. Those Geekbench scores, which are relatively high compared to the Cinebench results, pull the i5-5350U's average upward. The i7-860 has only five recorded scores, all Cinebench tests, and its average is accordingly weighted differently.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each processor, the i5-5350U sits in a tight cluster. Its average score of 903 is exactly matched by the Intel Core i7-940, with a 0% delta. The Intel Core i5-4258U is 0.1% behind, and the AMD A10-7860K is 0.1% ahead. The Intel Core i3-4330T is 0.6% ahead. The i7-860, meanwhile, has an average of 886, with the AMD PRO A8-8650B 0.1% ahead, the Intel Pentium G4560T 0.1% ahead, the Intel Xeon X5550 0.2% ahead, and the Intel Core i3-6100 0.3% ahead. Both processors land at the 24th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating similar overall standing despite the head-to-head differences.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous regarding raw performance. The Intel Core i7-860 is the superior processor in every measured workload. Its wins in all five head-to-head tests, with margins between 14.5% and 14.7%, establish a consistent advantage that holds across both single-core and multi-core scenarios. The i5-5350U never closes the gap in any recorded test.

However, the selection between these two processors depends heavily on context beyond raw scores. The i7-860 is a desktop part with a 95-watt TDP, while the i5-5350U is a mobile part with a 15-watt TDP. The i5-5350U also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 6000), whereas the i7-860 has no integrated graphics at all. For a system that requires a discrete graphics card regardless, the i7-860's higher performance makes it the clear choice from a pure compute standpoint.

For a mobile or compact build where power consumption and integrated graphics matter, the i5-5350U is the only viable option among the two, as the i7-860 is a desktop socket processor (Intel Socket 1156) that cannot be used in a laptop. The data shows that the i5-5350U, despite losing every head-to-head test, still performs within a narrow band of its rivals, with its average score of 903 being essentially tied with the i7-940 and i5-4258U. The i7-860's average of 886 is similarly competitive with its own peer group.

In short: if the application demands maximum compute power and the platform is a desktop, the i7-860 wins decisively. If the application requires a low-power mobile processor with integrated graphics, the i5-5350U is the only choice, and its performance deficit relative to the i7-860 is a necessary trade-off.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The i5-5350U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, using a 14 nm process node. The i7-860 is built on the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, using a 45 nm process node. This represents a significant manufacturing advancement for the i5-5350U, as the 14 nm process is substantially more modern than the 45 nm process.

The transistor counts reflect the process differences. The i5-5350U packs 1,900 million transistors on a die size of 133 mm². The i7-860 has 774 million transistors on a die size of 296 mm². This means the i5-5350U fits more than twice as many transistors on less than half the die area, a direct consequence of the smaller process node.

Cache configuration also differs notably. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is quite different: the i5-5350U has 3 MB shared, while the i7-860 has 8 MB shared. This larger L3 cache on the i7-860 likely contributes to its performance advantage in multi-threaded workloads.

The i5-5350U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 6000), while the i7-860 has no integrated graphics. This is a fundamental architectural difference, as the i5-5350U is designed for mobile platforms where a separate GPU may not be present. The i7-860, being a desktop part from 2009, predates the widespread integration of graphics into the CPU package.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two processors are substantial and cover nearly every major field. The i5-5350U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-860 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This doubling of cores and threads is likely the primary driver of the i7-860's multi-core performance advantage.

Clock speeds differ as well. The i5-5350U has a base clock of 1800.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz. The i7-860 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.47 GHz. The i7-860 thus has a higher base clock by 1000 MHz and a higher boost clock by 570 MHz.

Power consumption is dramatically different. The i5-5350U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the i7-860 has a TDP of 95 watts. This 80-watt difference makes the i5-5350U far more power-efficient, though the i7-860's higher power budget enables its higher performance.

The socket and platform differ completely. The i5-5350U uses Intel BGA 1168, a ball-grid array socket that is soldered to the motherboard, typical for mobile processors. The i7-860 uses Intel Socket 1156, a desktop socket that allows for processor replacement. The PCIe configurations also differ: the i5-5350U has Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-860 has Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Memory support is similar in type (DDR3) and channel configuration (dual-channel), but the i5-5350U has a recorded memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i7-860 has no memory bandwidth figure recorded. Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning they cannot be overclocked via multiplier adjustment.

The i5-5350U has a release date of 2015-02-28, while the i7-860 has a release date of 2009-09-07. The i5-5350U has a launch MSRP of $315, while the i7-860 has no launch MSRP recorded. Both are end-of-life products. The part numbers differ: SR268 for the i5-5350U and SLBJJ for the i7-860.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-860 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 259 versus 221 for the i5-5350U (14.7% ahead). In Cinebench R20 multicore, it scores 1081 versus 923 (14.6% ahead). In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 2574 versus 2198 (14.6% ahead).

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i7-860 also wins single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 152 versus 130 (14.5% ahead). In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 363 versus 310 (14.6% ahead).

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i7-860 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-5350U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i5-5350U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the i7-860 has a TDP of 95 watts.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The i5-5350U includes Intel HD 6000 integrated graphics. The i7-860 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The i5-5350U has an average benchmark score of 903, while the i7-860 has an average of 886. Both sit at the 24th percentile among all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-860 wins in every recorded benchmark comparison. Its advantages are consistent across single-core and multi-core tests, with margins between 14.5% and 14.7%. The i7-860 is the clear choice for any workload that prioritizes raw compute performance, whether that is multi-threaded rendering (Cinebench R15, R20, R23 multicore) or single-threaded tasks (Cinebench R20, R23 single-core). Its 4 cores and 8 threads, higher clock speeds, and larger 8 MB L3 cache all contribute to this superiority.

The Intel Core i5-5350U has zero benchmark wins in the head-to-head comparisons. However, it wins in other dimensions that are not captured by the Cinebench tests. Its 15-watt TDP is dramatically lower than the i7-860's 95-watt TDP, making it suitable for power-constrained mobile environments. It includes integrated graphics, which the i7-860 lacks, meaning a system built around the i5-5350U does not require a separate graphics card. Its 14 nm process node and 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die represent a far more modern manufacturing approach than the i7-860's 45 nm process and 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die.

For use cases, the split is straightforward. The i7-860 is the pick for desktop systems where performance is the sole priority and power consumption is not a limiting factor. The i5-5350U is the pick for mobile or compact systems where power efficiency, integrated graphics, and a BGA socket are requirements. The data shows no scenario where the i5-5350U outperforms the i7-860 in compute benchmarks, but the i5-5350U's other characteristics make it the only sensible choice for its intended platform.