CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8265U vs Intel Core i5-5287U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8265U is a 4-core, 8-thread low-power mobile processor from the Whiskey Lake family, designed for thin-and-light laptops prioritizing battery life.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Good for daily office tasks and web apps.
The 2.9 GHz base clock provides the best sustained single-threaded performance in the Broadwell-U i5 range, though dual-core limits multi-tasking capability.
Gaming
Only capable of very light or old games.
The highest-clocked Iris 6100 in the Broadwell-U lineup provides marginally better gaming than the i5-5257U, but remains limited by dual-core and shared memory architecture.
Virtualization
Can run light VMs but limited by RAM and power.
Still limited by dual-core design despite the higher clocks.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency for all-day battery life.
The 28W TDP is a significant power draw for a dual-core processor, resulting in reduced battery life compared to 15W alternatives.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Not suitable for AI workloads
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Not designed for AI workloads
- Completely unsuitable for modern AI tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated graphics too weak for modern gaming
- Good for indie games
- No dedicated gaming features
- Iris 6100 at 1100 MHz is the fastest Broadwell-U i5 GPU configuration
- Older esports titles playable at 1080p medium settings
- eDRAM provides a noticeable boost over non-eDRAM variants
- Modern AAA games remain unplayable
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency
- 4 cores and 8 threads
- Good burst performance
- Wide OEM adoption
Cons
- Soldered to motherboard
- Weak integrated graphics
- Only PCIe 3.0
- End-of-life
Pros
- Highest CPU clocks in the Broadwell-U i5 lineup
- Iris 6100 with eDRAM for best-in-class integrated GPU
- 3.3 GHz turbo for strong single-threaded performance
- Good build-to-order upgrade for 2015 MacBook Pro
- 128MB eDRAM benefits CPU and GPU alike
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores fundamentally limit performance
- 28W TDP requires active cooling and reduces battery life
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
- Same $315 price as lower-clocked i5-5257U offered questionable value
- Not compatible with Windows 11
- End-of-life with no support
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8265U
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
- Intel Core i7-8565URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
- Intel Core i5-8250URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
Slightly faster with better efficiency.
Compare head-to-headModern dual-core with vastly better single-core speed.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Hex-core mobile chip with much better performance.
Massive IPC and iGPU upgrade with modern features.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-5287U
- Intel Core i7-5557URival
Mobile Premium Ultrabook
- AMD A10-8700PRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5257URival
Mobile Premium Ultrabook
- AMD FX-7500Rival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i7-5650URival
Mobile Premium Ultrabook
- Intel Core i5-6287UAlt
Skylake successor with Iris 550, DDR4, and improved architecture.
- Alt
The M1 MacBook Air dramatically outperforms this chip in every metric while being fanless.
Compare head-to-head Four cores with Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz in a 15W envelope.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Six cores, twelve threads with Vega 7 graphics in a modern, efficient design.
12th-gen hybrid architecture with 12 cores in a 28W envelope offering dramatically more performance.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A reliable and efficient mobile CPU that brought 4 cores to thin-and-light laptops, still serviceable for basic tasks today.
Best for: Buying a cheap used laptop for basic tasks
Read the full reviewThe top Broadwell-U i5 offers the best single-threaded and GPU performance in its class, but dual-core limits and 28W power draw mean even budget modern chips outperform it comprehensively.
Best for: Purchasing a used MacBook Pro 2015 with this upgrade for under $200 for basic creative work
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8265U or Intel Core i5-5287U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-8265U comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. 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 i5-8265U or Intel Core i5-5287U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-5287U leads with a gaming performance score of 24/100 among Intel Core i5-8265U and Intel Core i5-5287U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-8265U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-8265U (15 W), Intel Core i5-5287U (28 W).
Do Intel Core i5-8265U and Intel Core i5-5287U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-8265U: Intel BGA 1528, Intel Core i5-5287U: Intel BGA 1168), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-8265U has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-8265U (4 cores), Intel Core i5-5287U (2 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-5287U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-5287U (3,120). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.