Intel Core M-5Y10

The Intel Core M-5Y10 is a 2-core, 4-thread Broadwell-Y mobile processor with a 5 W TDP, designed for fanless ultraportables. Benchmark results place it at the 8th percentile among all CPUs, meaning it outperforms only a small fraction of the database’s tracked processors. Its average benchmark score of 480 ties it with desktop parts from a much older era, which frames its performance class as strictly entry-level.

How It Compares

Intel Core i3-560: The Core M-5Y10 matches the Core i3-560 exactly, with both scoring an average of 480. This is a notable comparison because the i3-560 is a desktop dual-core from the Clarkdale generation, running at a far higher clock speed and consuming significantly more power. The data shows the Core M-5Y10 achieves parity with that older desktop chip despite its ultra-low-power design, which speaks to the efficiency of the Broadwell architecture but also highlights that raw performance is not a selling point here.

AMD A6 PRO-7400B: The AMD A6 PRO-7400B scores 479, putting it 0.1% behind the Core M-5Y10. This delta is statistically negligible, meaning the two processors are effectively interchangeable in multi-threaded workloads. The AMD part is a desktop APU, so the comparison reinforces that the Core M-5Y10’s performance is akin to a low-end desktop chip from several years prior, rather than anything competitive with modern mobile silicon.

AMD Athlon II X3 435: The Athlon II X3 435, a triple-core desktop processor, scores 477, which is 0.6% behind the Core M-5Y10. Despite having one fewer core than the Athlon, the Core M-5Y10 edges ahead in the aggregate benchmark average. This suggests that the Core M-5Y10’s higher IPC and simultaneous multithreading help it overcome its core-count disadvantage, though the margin is far too small to be considered a meaningful victory.

AMD PRO A6-8570E: The AMD PRO A6-8570E scores 483, which is 0.6% ahead of the Core M-5Y10. This is the only rival in the list that leads the Intel part, but again the delta is within margin-of-error territory. The PRO A6-8570E is a desktop chip, so the Core M-5Y10’s performance is firmly bracketed by these four rivals, all of which are older desktop processors or low-end APUs.

Power and Thermals

The Core M-5Y10 carries a 5 W TDP, which places it in the ultra-low-power class reserved for fanless tablets and thin-and-light notebooks. This TDP is a fraction of what typical mobile processors draw, and it dictates that cooling solutions can be entirely passive — no active fan is required. The 14 nm process node from Intel enables this efficiency, and the 50 mm² die size keeps manufacturing costs down, but the practical implication is that sustained performance is heavily limited by thermal headroom. A 5 W processor will throttle quickly under load in a fanless chassis, so the benchmark scores should be viewed as peak figures that may not be maintainable for extended durations. For cooling, a simple heat spreader or a small passive heat sink is sufficient; there is no need for anything resembling a capable air cooler or liquid solution. This TDP class also means the processor is suitable for devices prioritizing battery life and silent operation over computational throughput.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench results show a clear split between single-core and multi-core capabilities. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core M-5Y10 scores 140. In R20 multi-core, it improves to 586, and in R23 multi-core it reaches 1397. The single-core scores are much lower in absolute terms: 82 in R20 and 197 in R23. The average benchmark score of 480 places the chip in the 8th percentile, confirming that it trails the vast majority of CPUs in the database. Against the nearest rivals, the Core M-5Y10 is effectively tied with the Core i3-560 (0% delta), the AMD A6 PRO-7400B (0.1% ahead), and the AMD Athlon II X3 435 (0.6% ahead), while sitting 0.6% behind the AMD PRO A6-8570E. These deltas are trivial, so any one of these four chips could win a given workload by a hair. The multi-core scores suggest that the processor can handle basic productivity tasks like document editing or light spreadsheet work, but the 8th percentile ranking means it will struggle with any moderately demanding application. The R23 multi-core score of 1397 is roughly 7x lower than what a modern high-end desktop CPU would achieve, illustrating the enormous gap between this ultra-mobile part and mainstream silicon.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Core M-5Y10?

A: The TDP is 5 W, which is exceptionally low and enables fanless operation in ultraportable devices.

Q: How does the Core M-5Y10 compare to the Intel Core i3-560?

A: Both processors have an average benchmark score of 480, meaning the Core M-5Y10 matches the older desktop i3-560 exactly in aggregate performance.

Q: What integrated graphics does the Core M-5Y10 include?

A: It includes Intel HD 5300 graphics, which is sufficient for basic display output and video playback but not for gaming.

Q: Is the Core M-5Y10 unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the processor cannot be overclocked.

Q: What memory type does the Core M-5Y10 support?

A: It supports DDR4 memory, though it does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the release date of the Core M-5Y10?

A: The release date is September 4, 2014, and the production status is listed as Active.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The single-core scores are 82 in Cinebench R20 and 197 in Cinebench R23. The multi-core scores are 586 in R20 and 1397 in R23. The ratio between multi-core and single-core scores is roughly 7.1x for R20 and 7.1x for R23, which is far higher than the theoretical 2x scaling from having two physical cores. This indicates that the single-core scores are disproportionately low, likely because the processor cannot sustain high clock speeds on a single core for long periods without exceeding thermal limits. The base clock is 800 MHz with a boost clock of 2000 MHz, but the actual sustained frequency in single-threaded workloads may be lower due to power constraints. In practice, this means the Core M-5Y10 behaves poorly in tasks that rely on single-thread performance, such as web browsing with heavy JavaScript, general system responsiveness, or legacy applications that cannot use multiple threads. Multi-threaded workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering benefit from the 4 threads, but even then the absolute scores are low. The data suggests that the processor is best suited for light, bursty tasks where it can briefly boost to 2000 MHz, rather than sustained workloads that would cause thermal throttling. Real-world usage would see the chip alternating between idle states and short bursts of activity, which aligns with its intended role in fanless tablets where passive cooling cannot dissipate continuous heat.

Who Should Consider It

The Core M-5Y10 is appropriate for users who prioritize silence, portability, and battery efficiency over raw performance. Its 8th percentile ranking means it is not suitable for gaming, video editing, 3D rendering, or any other compute-intensive task. The integrated Intel HD 5300 graphics further limits its appeal for gaming, as even light titles would struggle. For office productivity, the processor can handle word processing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing, provided the user does not open too many heavy tabs or run complex macros. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1397 indicates that basic document work is feasible, but multitasking with several applications open will cause noticeable slowdowns. Students or travelers who need a device for note-taking and reading may find the Core M-5Y10 adequate, especially if they value a fanless, silent device. However, anyone planning to run virtual machines, compile code, or process large datasets should look elsewhere. The processor’s only real advantage over its nearest rivals is its 5 W TDP and 14 nm process node, which enable a smaller, lighter device without a cooling fan. For users who already own a device with this chip and find it too slow, the data confirms that upgrading to almost any modern processor would yield significant gains, as the Core M-5Y10 sits at the very bottom of the performance distribution.