Intel Core i3-5015U

The Intel Core i3-5015U is a dual-core, four-thread mobile processor from the Broadwell-U generation, built on Intel's 14 nm process. It sits near the bottom of the performance ladder, with an average benchmark score of 715 and a percentile rank of 18 among all CPUs. Its scores place it in direct competition with several older desktop parts, and the data shows a chip that delivers modest throughput for everyday tasks but struggles under heavy multi-threaded loads. This analysis examines its benchmark results, power characteristics, and platform fit using only the supplied measurements.

Benchmark Performance

The i3-5015U’s benchmark results are consistently low, reflecting its dual-core design and lack of a boost clock. In Cinebench R23, it scores 1695 in multi-core and 239 in single-core. The single-core figure is particularly weak, ranking in the bottom tier of modern processors. Geekbench results follow a similar pattern: 1405 multi-core and 686 single-core. These numbers indicate that the chip is best suited for light productivity, not compute-intensive workloads.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the i3-5015U is essentially tied with two older AMD Phenom II X4 parts. It edges out the AMD Phenom II X4 850 by 0.2% (714 vs. 715 average score) and the AMD Phenom II X4 840 by 0.3% (713 vs. 715). However, it falls behind two Intel desktop chips: the Core i5-661 trails by 0.4% (718 vs. 715) and the Core i3-3250 by 0.6% (719 vs. 715). The deltas are tiny—under one percentage point—meaning the i3-5015U delivers performance statistically indistinguishable from these four rivals in aggregate benchmarks. But those rivals are all desktop parts from earlier generations; the i3-5015U is a mobile chip, so its low power envelope comes at the cost of raw speed.

In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 711, while the single-core score is 100. The single-core score of exactly 100 is a round number, suggesting it is near the baseline for that test. The R15 multi-core score of 170 is similarly modest. Across all tested workloads, the i3-5015U’s scores are consistent with a chip that has two physical cores and four threads, but no turbo capability. The lack of a boost clock means the 2.10 GHz base frequency is the maximum sustained speed, which caps both single- and multi-threaded performance.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The i3-5015U shows a pronounced weakness in single-threaded tasks. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 239 is about 14% of its multi-core score (1695), which is expected for a dual-core with Hyper-Threading—the multi-core score is roughly 7 times the single-core score. In Geekbench, the ratio is 1405/686 ≈ 2.05, meaning multi-core is only about double the single-core, which is typical for a two-core/four-thread design. The single-core performance is the limiting factor for most interactive applications, including web browsing, office suites, and older games that rely on one or two threads.

For multi-threaded workloads, the chip benefits from four threads, but the absolute scores remain low. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 1695 places it below many modern quad-core parts. The data suggests that the i3-5015U can handle light parallel tasks like video playback or basic photo editing, but it will choke on rendering, compilation, or heavy multitasking. The single-core deficit is more pronounced in the Cinebench R20 test, where the score of 100 is the lowest among the listed benchmarks—a clear indicator that the architecture’s per-core performance is outdated.

The split between single- and multi-thread scores also reveals the impact of the 2.10 GHz base clock. Without a boost, the CPU cannot temporarily raise its frequency to improve single-thread responsiveness. This means that even a lightly threaded task like opening a large spreadsheet will run at the same speed as a fully loaded multi-threaded workload. In contrast, many competing chips—including the Intel Core i5-661 and i3-3250—have higher base clocks or boost capabilities, which explains their slightly higher average scores despite similar core counts.

Power and Thermals

The i3-5015U has a thermal design power (TDP) of 15 watts. This is a low-power mobile processor, typical of ultrabook and thin-and-light designs. The 15W TDP class implies that a modest cooling solution—such as a small fan or passive heatsink—can handle the heat output. The chip is built on Intel's 14 nm process, which is a mature node that contributes to its efficiency. The die size is 82 mm² and it contains 1,300 million transistors, reflecting a compact design.

Because the TDP is only 15W, the i3-5015U is well-suited for devices that prioritize battery life and low noise over performance. The lack of a boost clock further reduces peak power draw, as the CPU never exceeds its base frequency. This makes thermal management straightforward, but it also means the chip cannot offer short bursts of higher performance. For a mobile user, the trade-off is acceptable for light tasks, but it disqualifies the chip from any workload that requires sustained CPU power.

The integrated graphics, Intel HD 5500, is included in the same package, but its performance is not benchmarked in the provided data. However, the 15W TDP budget must be shared between the CPU and GPU, which further limits the CPU’s sustained performance under combined load. The memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s over dual-channel DDR3 is adequate for the integrated GPU’s needs, but it is not a high-bandwidth configuration.

FAQ

Q: What is the base clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-5015U?

A: The base clock is 2.10 GHz. No boost clock is listed, so the CPU runs at this fixed frequency.

Q: How many cores and threads does the i3-5015U have?

A: It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading.

Q: What memory does it support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the integrated graphics unit?

A: The i3-5015U includes Intel HD 5500 graphics.

Q: Is the CPU overclockable?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, and the CPU is not unlocked.

Q: What is the production status of this chip?

A: It is end-of-life, with a release date of February 28, 2015.

How It Compares

The i3-5015U is statistically tied with the AMD Phenom II X4 850, which has an average score of 714 versus the i3-5015U’s 715—a delta of 0.2% in favor of the Intel chip. Both are low-end parts, but the Phenom II is a quad-core desktop CPU, while the i3-5015U is a dual-core mobile chip. The near-identical scores suggest that the i3-5015U’s higher per-core efficiency compensates for its fewer cores.

Against the AMD Phenom II X4 840, the i3-5015U leads by 0.3% (715 vs. 713). Again, the delta is negligible, and the two chips occupy the same performance tier. The Phenom II X4 840 is also a desktop part, so the comparison highlights how far mobile CPUs have come in efficiency, though not in absolute speed.

The Intel Core i5-661 is slightly ahead, with an average score of 718, giving it a 0.4% advantage over the i3-5015U. The i5-661 is a desktop dual-core with a higher clock and turbo boost, which explains its lead. The gap is small, but it shows that the i3-5015U cannot match even older desktop dual-cores with boost capability.

The Intel Core i3-3250, another desktop part, is 0.6% faster (719 vs. 715). This is the largest delta among the listed rivals, but still under one percentage point. The i3-3250 has a higher base clock and a newer architecture (Ivy Bridge) than the i5-661, yet the i3-5015U’s Broadwell design keeps it close. Overall, the i3-5015U’s performance is indistinguishable from these four rivals in aggregate, despite being a mobile chip with a 15W TDP.

Who Should Consider It

Given its low scores—Cinebench R23 multi-core 1695, single-core 239, and Geekbench multi-core 1405—the i3-5015U is only appropriate for basic computing tasks. It can handle web browsing, email, word processing, and light spreadsheet work. The integrated HD 5500 graphics can drive a 1080p display and play video, but it is not suitable for gaming beyond very old or undemanding titles. The single-core performance is too weak for modern games that rely on strong per-thread performance.

For content creation, the multi-threaded scores are insufficient for video editing, 3D rendering, or large-scale photo processing. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1695 is roughly a third of what a modern quad-core desktop CPU achieves, so any serious creative workload would be painfully slow. Office productivity is the sweet spot: the chip can run multiple office applications simultaneously without major slowdowns, provided the user does not open too many heavy documents at once.

The i3-5015U is also a candidate for lightweight Linux systems or as a secondary machine for remote desktop use. Its low TDP makes it ideal for fanless or passively cooled designs, which is a niche benefit. However, for any workload that demands more than basic responsiveness, the data clearly shows this chip is outclassed by even modest desktop parts from the same era.

Platform and Compatibility

The i3-5015U uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, a ball-grid array package designed for soldered mobile installations. This means the CPU is not upgradeable; it is permanently attached to the motherboard. The chip is part of the Broadwell-U generation, built on a 14 nm process, and it supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported.

The PCIe interface is Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), which limits expansion options to slower SSDs and older graphics cards. The integrated graphics, Intel HD 5500, is the only GPU option unless a discrete card is added via the PCIe lanes, but the 12-lane limit and Gen 2 speed would bottleneck modern discrete GPUs. The memory controller is dual-channel, which is standard for the platform.

Given the end-of-life status and the BGA socket, there is no meaningful upgrade path. Users are stuck with the i3-5015U for the life of the system. The release date of February 28, 2015, and the launch MSRP of $275 place it in the mid-range mobile segment at launch, but its performance now lags far behind even entry-level processors. The platform is best suited for lightweight laptops or ultrabooks where low power consumption is more important than performance, and where the soldered nature is acceptable because the entire device is expected to be replaced rather than upgraded.