Intel Core i7-5557U vs Intel Pentium 6805 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Pentium 6805 wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database. Across five Cinebench tests, the Pentium 6805 maintains a lead of roughly 29% over the Intel Core i7-5557U in every workload. This uniformity is striking, as it suggests the performance gap is systemic rather than workload-specific.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Pentium 6805 scores 383 against 270 for the Core i7-5557U, a delta of -29.5% (where the negative sign indicates the Core i7 trails). The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core: 1596 versus 1126, a -29.4% delta. Single-core results follow the same trend, with the Pentium 6805 posting 225 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 158 for the Core i7-5557U, a -29.8% gap. The newer Cinebench R23 tests confirm the trend: multi-core shows 3801 versus 2682 (-29.4%), and single-core shows 536 versus 378 (-29.5%).

The consistency of the delta across both multi-threaded and single-threaded tests is telling. It implies the Pentium 6805's advantage comes from a fundamentally more efficient architecture rather than a specific feature like extra cores or higher boost clocks. Both processors have 2 cores and 4 threads, so thread count is not the differentiator. The Core i7-5557U does hold a nominal clock advantage on paper, with base and boost clocks of 3.10 GHz and 3.40 GHz respectively, versus 1100.00 MHz base and 3.00 GHz boost for the Pentium 6805. Yet the measured scores show the Pentium 6805 winning decisively, meaning the newer microarchitecture more than compensates for lower clock speeds.

The average benchmark scores place these two very close overall: the Core i7-5557U averages 1110, while the Pentium 6805 averages 1099. Both sit at the 31st percentile among all CPUs in the database. Their nearest rivals are also closely matched: the Core i7-5557U sits alongside the Intel Xeon E5630 (0% delta), Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (0.1%), Intel Core i5-4570T (0.2%), and AMD PRO A12-8870 (0.2%). The Pentium 6805 matches the Intel Core i5-3450S at 0% delta, with the Intel Xeon E5-1603 v3 and AMD PRO A10-8850B both at 0.1%, and the Intel Pentium Gold G6500 slightly ahead at -0.2%. This near-identical average performance masks the fact that the Pentium 6805 wins every individual head-to-head test, suggesting the averages are pulled together by different benchmark suites that are not included in the head-to-head set.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Pentium 6805 wins every multi-core test in the head-to-head comparison. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3801 versus 2682 for the Core i7-5557U, a 29.4% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows 1596 versus 1126, a 29.4% lead, and the R15 multi-core test shows 383 versus 270, a 29.5% lead.

Q: Is the Core i7-5557U faster in single-core workloads?

A: No. The Pentium 6805 wins single-core tests as well. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 536 versus 378, a 29.5% advantage. The R20 single-core test shows 225 versus 158, a 29.8% lead. Despite the Core i7-5557U having a higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, the Pentium 6805's architecture delivers superior single-threaded performance.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Core i7-5557U has an average benchmark score of 1110, while the Pentium 6805 has an average of 1099. Both processors rank at the 31st percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 2 cores and 4 threads. This means the performance differences are not due to core count but rather to architectural efficiency and other design factors.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Pentium 6805 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Core i7-5557U supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Pentium 6805's memory bandwidth is substantially higher, which may contribute to its performance advantage.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: Both are listed as end-of-life products. The Core i7-5557U was released in 2015, and the Pentium 6805 was released in 2020.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Core i7-5557U uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-U, built on a 14 nm process node. The Pentium 6805 uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically Ice Lake-Y, built on a 10 nm process node. This process shrink is a major factor: the 10 nm node allows for higher transistor density and improved power efficiency, which contributes to the Pentium 6805's performance lead despite lower clock speeds.

The cache layouts differ notably. The Core i7-5557U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, while the Pentium 6805 has 80 KB per core. Both have 256 KB of L2 cache per core and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L1 cache in the Pentium 6805 suggests a more capable front-end and better data locality handling, which helps explain the single-core performance advantage.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core i7-5557U includes Intel Iris 6100 graphics, while the Pentium 6805 includes UHD Graphics with 32 execution units. The Iris 6100 was a higher-tier graphics solution in its generation, but the UHD Graphics in the Pentium 6805 benefits from the newer architecture.

The memory controllers are generationally different. The Core i7-5557U supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. The Pentium 6805 supports DDR4 in dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, a 71% higher theoretical bandwidth. This memory bandwidth difference likely contributes to the performance gap, particularly in memory-sensitive workloads.

PCIe support also differs: the Core i7-5557U uses PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes from the CPU, while the Pentium 6805 uses PCIe Gen 3. The newer PCIe standard offers higher bandwidth for connected devices, though this is less relevant for CPU compute benchmarks.

The foundry is Intel for both, and both are manufactured by Intel. The die size differs: the Core i7-5557U has a die size of 133 mm² with 1,900 million transistors, while the Pentium 6805 has a smaller die at 123 mm² (transistor count is not recorded in the database). This smaller die on a more advanced node indicates a denser, more efficient design.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several specification fields. The Core i7-5557U has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Pentium 6805 has a base clock of 1100.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. While the base clock figure appears dramatically lower for the Pentium 6805, the boost clock is only 400 MHz lower, and the measured performance still favors the Pentium.

Thermal design power differs substantially: the Core i7-5557U has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Pentium 6805 has a TDP of 15 watts. This makes the Pentium 6805 significantly more power-efficient, which is notable given it delivers higher performance in every benchmark.

The sockets are different: the Core i7-5557U uses Intel BGA 1168, while the Pentium 6805 uses Intel BGA 1526. These are not interchangeable, meaning any system designed for one cannot accept the other.

Memory support differs: the Core i7-5557U supports DDR3, while the Pentium 6805 supports DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the bandwidth figures differ as noted above.

The integrated graphics differ: Intel Iris 6100 for the Core i7-5557U versus UHD Graphics (32EU) for the Pentium 6805.

Release dates and launch MSRP differ: the Core i7-5557U launched in 2015 with a launch MSRP of $426, while the Pentium 6805 launched in 2020 with a launch MSRP of $161.

Part numbers also differ: SR26E for the Core i7-5557U and SRK0U for the Pentium 6805.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows the Intel Pentium 6805 wins in every category of CPU compute performance measured. There is no benchmark in the head-to-head set where the Core i7-5557U comes out ahead. This includes both multi-core and single-core tests across three generations of Cinebench (R15, R20, R23). The consistent 29% delta suggests the Pentium 6805 is better suited for any CPU-bound workload, whether it is rendering, compilation, or general productivity.

The Core i7-5557U does have some theoretical advantages in the specification sheet. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.10 GHz and 3.40 GHz versus 1100.00 MHz and 3.00 GHz) might suggest an advantage in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, but the measured single-core Cinebench scores contradict this. The Iris 6100 integrated graphics are from a higher tier in their generation, but no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database, so any graphical advantage cannot be quantified.

The Pentium 6805 also wins on power efficiency, with a 15 watt TDP versus 28 watts for the Core i7-5557U. This makes it more suitable for fanless or passively cooled designs and longer battery life in mobile devices.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput in the specific workloads tested (Cinebench), the Pentium 6805 is the clear choice. For users who might value the older processor's specific socket compatibility or DDR3 memory support, the Core i7-5557U could still be relevant, but the benchmark data offers no evidence of any performance scenario where it wins.

The Verdict

The benchmark database is unambiguous: the Intel Pentium 6805 outperforms the Intel Core i7-5557U in every recorded CPU test. Across five Cinebench benchmarks, the Pentium 6805 maintains a lead of approximately 29.4% to 29.8%. This is a substantial and consistent margin, covering both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads.

The Core i7-5557U, despite being a higher-tier product in its generation (Core i7 versus Pentium) and having higher clock speeds on paper, cannot overcome the architectural advantages of the newer Ice Lake design in the Pentium 6805. The 10 nm process node, larger L1 cache, and significantly higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s) all contribute to the Pentium 6805's superior measured performance.

The power efficiency story also favors the Pentium 6805, with a 15 watt TDP versus 28 watts. This means the Pentium 6805 delivers more performance while consuming less power, a rare combination.

For anyone choosing between these two processors based on the data, the Pentium 6805 is the clear recommendation for CPU performance. It wins every benchmark, offers better memory bandwidth, and does so at a lower power envelope. The Core i7-5557U might still be considered for systems that specifically require its BGA 1168 socket or DDR3 memory support, but the performance data provides no reason to select it over the Pentium 6805 for compute-intensive tasks. The average benchmark scores (1110 versus 1099) and percentile rankings (31st for both) might suggest parity, but the head-to-head results reveal the true picture: the Pentium 6805 is decisively faster in every measured workload.