CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-5200U vs Intel Core i5-5350U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-5200U is a dual-core, four-thread mobile processor from the Broadwell-U family, built on Intel's 14nm process for thin-and-light ultrabooks requiring balanced performance and power efficiency.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Sufficient for basic document editing and email but struggles with heavy spreadsheet workloads or multitasking.
Handles basic document editing and web apps smoothly, but struggles with heavy multitasking.
Gaming
The HD 5500 integrated graphics can barely manage older or lightweight titles at low resolution and settings.
Only capable of running very old or extremely lightweight 2D games.
Virtualization
Not suitable for virtualization due to limited cores and memory bandwidth.
Not recommended due to low core count and limited memory bandwidth.
Efficiency
The 14nm process was efficient for its era, though modern 10nm and 7nm chips far surpass it.
Still highly efficient for basic tasks, offering excellent battery life in older laptops.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Dual-core design makes AI inference impractical
- Not suitable for any machine learning workloads
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Far too slow for local inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 5500 with 24 EUs is insufficient for modern gaming
- Older titles like CS:GO and Minecraft run at playable frame rates at 720p low
- No support for modern graphics APIs beyond DirectX 11.2
- Shared memory architecture reduces GPU performance
- Integrated HD 6000 lacks power for modern 3D titles
- Suitable for retro emulation and 2D indie games
- Shares system RAM, limiting frame rates
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Low 15W TDP ideal for thin laptops
- Configurable TDP down to 7.5W for fanless designs
- First 14nm consumer processor generation
- Intel HD 5500 better than Haswell's HD 4400
- Hyper-Threading provides 4 logical threads
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores limit multi-threaded performance
- DDR3 memory support is outdated
- PCIe Gen 2 lanes are slow by modern standards
- No dedicated AI or hardware security features
- End-of-life with no security updates or support
- Integrated graphics inadequate for modern workloads
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency for its era
- Good for basic daily computing
- Integrated HD 6000 handles 4K video well
- Low heat output
Cons
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
- Uses obsolete DDR3 memory
- Weak integrated graphics for 3D work
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-5200U
- AMD A8-7410Rival
Mobile Budget
- AMD A10-8700PRival
Mobile Budget
- Intel Core i3-5010URival
Mobile Ultrabook
- Intel Pentium 3805URival
Mobile Budget
- AMD FX-7500Rival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i5-6200UAlt
Skylake successor with DDR4 support, better GPU, and improved architecture.
- Intel Core i5-7200UAlt
Kaby Lake refresh with higher clocks and better efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Modern dual-core with much better integrated graphics and DDR4 support.
10nm Ice Lake with significantly better GPU and modern features.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
Four real cores with Vega graphics offering vastly superior performance.
Intel Core i5-5350U
- Intel Core i7-5650URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5200URival
Mobile
- AMD A10-8700PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-5500URival
Mobile
- AMD A8-7410Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
Offers 4 cores and much better modern performance.
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500UAlt
Superior Vega graphics and quad-core design.
- Intel Core i3-7100UAlt
Newer architecture with similar basic performance.
- Intel Core i5-6200UAlt
The direct Skylake successor with DDR4 support.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Better budget mobile performance.
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-5200U was a solid ultrabook chip in 2015 but is now thoroughly outdated for modern workloads, offering only basic computing capability by today's standards.
Best for: Purchasing a used ultrabook under $100 for basic web browsing and document editing
Read the full reviewA historically significant processor for battery life, but its dual-core architecture is too weak for modern demanding workloads.
Best for: Today, the Core i5-5350U is strictly an end-of-life component and should not be considered for new builds. If you are purchasing a used laptop featuring this processor, it should only be for basic tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and media consumption. It can be found at very low prices on the secondary market, making it a viable option for students or budget-conscious users needing a simple machine. However, its dual-core architecture struggles significantly with modern multitasking and heavy workloads. Ensure the device is priced appropriately for its age, as it lacks support for modern standards like DDR4 memory and PCIe 3.0. Avoid this chip if you intend to do any gaming, video editing, or intensive productivity work.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-5200U or Intel Core i5-5350U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-5350U comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-5200U or Intel Core i5-5350U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-5350U leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i5-5200U and Intel Core i5-5350U.
Do Intel Core i5-5200U and Intel Core i5-5350U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1168 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-5350U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-5200U (2,550), Intel Core i5-5350U (2,950). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.