Intel Core i3-5157U
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i3-5157U Specifications
Core i3-5157U Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i3-5157U features 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i3-5157U Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i3-5157U benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i3-5157U by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i3-5157U Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i3-5157U processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i3-5157U's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Broadwell Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i3-5157U is built on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i3-5157U incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Broadwell Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i3-5157U by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i3-5157U Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i3-5157U has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 28W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel BGA 1168 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i3-5157U uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel BGA 1168 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i3-5157U define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i3-5157U determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i3-5157U Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i3-5157U includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i3-5157U provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i3-5157U Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i3-5157U is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i3-5157U by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i3-5157U Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i3-5157U performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. The R15 version remains useful for comparing against older hardware benchmarks. Higher scores directly correlate with faster render times in Cinema 4D and similar 3D applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i3-5157U. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i3-5157U. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i3-5157U after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i3-5157U maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_multicoreSource
Geekbench multi-core tests Intel Core i3-5157U across real-world workloads including image processing, machine learning, and data compression. All available threads are utilized to measure parallel performance. Higher scores indicate better capability in multitasking and content creation.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_singlecoreSource
Geekbench single-core measures how fast one thread of Intel Core i3-5157U can process tasks like web browsing and document editing. This score correlates with how snappy the system feels during normal use. Many applications still depend primarily on single-thread performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i3-5157U
The Intel Core i3-5157U is a dual-core mobile processor from the Broadwell-U generation, built on Intel's 14 nm process node. Launched in early 2015 and now end-of-life, this chip integrates Intel Iris 6100 graphics and targets the mobile segment with a 28 W TDP, placing it in a specific performance tier that the benchmark data shows is closely contested by a cluster of older desktop and newer low-power parts.
Platform and Compatibility
The processor uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, which means it is permanently soldered to the motherboard and not upgradeable by the end user. This is a fundamental platform constraint, as the chip's mobile design prioritizes compactness over serviceability. The architecture is Broadwell, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, which is the ultra-low-power variant of Intel's fifth-generation Core lineup.
Memory support is limited to DDR3, running on a dual-channel bus. The official memory bandwidth is 29.9 GB/s, a figure that reflects the platform's DDR3 limitations rather than any advanced memory controller features. ECC memory is not supported, so the chip is unsuitable for error-correcting workstation builds. For PCIe, the CPU provides 12 lanes of Gen 2 connectivity, which is a notable bottleneck for any discrete GPU or high-speed NVMe storage; this is a clear sign that the chip was designed for integrated-graphics usage in thin laptops rather than expansion-heavy systems.
The upgrade path is effectively non-existent due to the BGA soldering. Users are locked into the motherboard and its DDR3 memory type. The production status is end-of-life, meaning no new boards or systems are being manufactured with this part. For anyone looking at this processor in a used system, the platform's age and the absence of modern I/O (no PCIe Gen 3 or 4, no DDR4 support) are significant limitations.
Power and Thermals
The TDP is rated at 28 W, which classifies this chip as a mid-range mobile part. This is higher than the 15 W ultra-low-power chips common in fanless designs, but lower than the 45 W quad-core parts found in performance laptops. The 28 W figure implies that a laptop using this CPU requires an active cooling solution with a small fan, but not a hefty heatpipe assembly.
The 14 nm process node is a key factor here, as it represents Intel's first mainstream use of this manufacturing technology, which improved transistor density and power efficiency over the previous 22 nm generation. The die size is 133 mm² and contains 1,900 million transistors, a relatively dense layout for the era. The thermal implications are moderate: a capable air cooler, such as a thin laptop heatsink with a blower fan, is sufficient to maintain sustained performance. The lack of a boost clock, as noted by the null value in the data, means the chip runs at a fixed 2.50 GHz; this simplifies thermal management because there is no turbo headroom to manage, but it also caps peak performance.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The benchmark data reveals a significant disparity between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 311, while the multi-core score is 2204. The multi-core score is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score, which is far higher than the 2:1 ratio expected from a dual-core chip with Hyper-Threading (2 cores, 4 threads). This anomaly suggests that the multi-core test benefits from some form of thermal or power headroom that allows both cores to run at sustained frequencies, while the single-core test might be limited by other factors.
In Geekbench, the single-core score is 778 and the multi-core score is 1568, which is almost exactly a 2:1 ratio. This is more typical of a dual-core with four threads, where each core's throughput scales linearly. The Cinebench R23 result, however, indicates that the workload scales better than expected, possibly due to memory bandwidth or cache effects. The L3 cache is 3 MB shared, with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, which is modest by modern standards but adequate for the 2.50 GHz clock speed.
For real workloads, this split means that lightly threaded tasks like web browsing or word processing will rely entirely on the 2.50 GHz base clock, which is low by modern standards. Multi-threaded tasks like video encoding or 3D rendering will see better utilization of the four threads, but the absolute scores remain low, as shown by the 23rd percentile ranking across all CPUs.
How It Compares
Against the Intel Pentium Silver N6000, the i3-5157U is essentially tied. The N6000 has an average score of 875, and the i3-5157U is 0.2% ahead. This is a statistical dead heat, meaning the two chips perform identically in typical mixed workloads. The N6000 is a newer, lower-power design, but the i3's higher TDP and older architecture produce the same result.
The AMD PRO A12-8870E is a desktop part with an average score of 880, and the i3-5157U trails by 0.4%. This is a negligible difference, but it is notable that a desktop chip with a higher power envelope cannot decisively beat a mobile dual-core. The A12-8870E likely has more cores, but the i3's per-core efficiency closes the gap.
The AMD Phenom II X6 1035T, a six-core desktop processor from 2010, scores 881 on average. The i3-5157U is 0.5% behind. This is a striking comparison: a modern 14 nm dual-core with Hyper-Threading is nearly equal to an old six-core chip. The Phenom's advantage in core count is offset by its ancient architecture and lower clock speeds per core.
The Intel Core i7-860, another old desktop quad-core, scores 882. The i3-5157U trails by 0.5%. This is the same pattern as the Phenom: the i7-860's four physical cores and higher TDP do not provide a meaningful edge over the i3's two cores with four threads. The benchmark data suggests that architectural improvements since 2009 have effectively doubled per-core performance, allowing a dual-core to match a quad-core.
Benchmark Performance
The average benchmark score for the i3-5157U is 877, placing it in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs. This means the chip outperforms roughly a quarter of all processors ever tested, which is a low ranking reflecting its age and dual-core design. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the score is 222, which is a legacy benchmark that shows the chip's raw compute capacity in an older test. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score is 925, while the single-core is 130, a ratio of 7.1:1 that suggests the multi-core test is not purely scaling with thread count.
The Cinebench R23 results are more telling: multi-core at 2204 and single-core at 311. The multi-core score is 7.1 times the single-core, which is impossible for a 2-core/4-thread chip if the test scales linearly with threads. This implies that either the single-core test is throttling or the multi-core test is leveraging the integrated graphics or some other resource. The Geekbench scores are more conventional: multi-core 1568 and single-core 778, a 2.0:1 ratio. This is the expected scaling for four threads on two cores.
Relative to rivals, the deltas are tiny. The i3-5157U is 0.2% ahead of the N6000, 0.4% behind the PRO A12-8870E, 0.5% behind the Phenom II X6 1035T, and 0.5% behind the Core i7-860. These sub-1% differences mean that in real-world use, there is no perceptible performance difference between these chips. The data shows that the i3-5157U sits in a very crowded performance tier where architectural age matters less than the specific workload.
FAQ
Q: What is the socket type for this processor?
A: The Intel Core i3-5157U uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable mobile socket.
Q: Does this CPU support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported, so the chip is not suitable for error-correcting workstation applications.
Q: What is the integrated graphics model?
A: The processor includes Intel Iris 6100 integrated graphics, which is a higher-tier iGPU for the Broadwell generation.
Q: How does the single-core score compare to the multi-core score in Geekbench?
A: In Geekbench, the single-core score is 778 and the multi-core score is 1568, which is almost exactly a 2:1 ratio, indicating linear scaling from two cores with four threads.
Q: What is the launch MSRP?
A: The launch MSRP is $315, which was the price at the time of release in early 2015.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked, so the CPU cannot be overclocked; it runs at a fixed 2.50 GHz base clock with no boost clock.
Who Should Consider It
Given the 23rd percentile ranking and an average score of 877, this chip is only suitable for basic computing tasks. For office workloads like word processing, spreadsheets, and email, the dual-core design with four threads is sufficient, but the low single-core score of 311 in Cinebench R23 means that even these tasks will feel sluggish compared to modern budget chips. The 2.50 GHz clock speed is a hard limit, and there is no turbo boost to handle transient spikes.
For gaming, the Intel Iris 6100 integrated graphics is a notable inclusion, but the CPU's overall performance is a bottleneck. The Geekbench single-core score of 778 is far below what modern games require, so only esports titles or very old games at low settings would be playable. The 12 PCIe Gen 2 lanes also prevent any serious discrete GPU pairing, as bandwidth would be severely limited.
Content creation is not a realistic use case. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2204 is about a tenth of what a modern mid-range desktop CPU scores, so video editing or 3D rendering would be painfully slow. The memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s is also a constraint for large datasets.
The only scenario where this chip makes sense is in a legacy laptop that is already owned and needs to perform basic web browsing or document editing. The 28 W TDP means it runs cool enough for a thin chassis, and the integrated Iris graphics handle video playback adequately. However, as a new purchase or upgrade, the benchmark data strongly suggests avoiding this processor, as even the rival chips in the same performance tier are similarly outdated. The 0.2% to 0.5% deltas against the nearest rivals show that there is no meaningful performance differentiator among these old parts, so users should base their decision on platform features like memory support and I/O rather than raw speed.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i3-5157U
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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