Quick Verdict
A highly efficient dual-core processor for 2015 ultrabooks that provided excellent battery life, though it struggles significantly with modern multitasking.
Overview
Launch
2015
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
5th Gen Core i7
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i7-5500U is a low-power mobile processor introduced in early 2015, designed specifically for ultra-thin laptops and ultrabooks. Built on the 14nm Broadwell-U architecture, it succeeded the Haswell-U series, offering tangible improvements in energy efficiency and battery life. The chip features two physical cores and supports Hyper-Threading, allowing it to process four threads simultaneously. Operating at a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and boosting up to 3.0 GHz, it provides adequate performance for everyday computing tasks. It includes 4 MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD Graphics 5500, which handles basic media decoding and light gaming. With a highly efficient 15-watt thermal design power, the i7-5500U was instrumental in enabling the proliferation of thin-and-light laptops with all-day battery life. Though end-of-life and outclassed by modern standards, it was a highly capable and popular processor during its prime indeed.
The Core i7-5500U brought 14nm efficiency to ultrabooks, offering solid dual-core performance and HD 5500 graphics for everyday tasks on the go.
Specifications
Performance
Handles basic office tasks but struggles with heavy multitasking.
Not recommended for VMs due to dual-core limitation.
Only capable of running very old or lightweight 2D games.
Good efficiency for 2015, but poor compared to modern chips.
- •Integrated HD 5500 is very weak
- •Only suitable for 2D or old indie games
- •No dedicated video memory
- •No AI hardware
- •Dual-core limits any CPU-based AI inference
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Broadwell-U
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
4 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i7-5500U is based on Intel's Broadwell-U microarchitecture, utilizing a 14-nanometer manufacturing process. This was a significant step down from 22nm, allowing Intel to reduce the die size to 82 mm² while fitting 1.3 billion transistors. The architecture is optimized for low-power consumption, featuring a configurable TDP that can drop as low as 7.5 watts for fanless designs. The dual-core design with Hyper-Threading is tailored for bursty workloads rather than sustained multi-threaded rendering. It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory up to 1600 MT/s. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 5500 features 24 execution units, offering a modest improvement over previous generations. Importantly, this architecture uses the FCBGA1168 socket, soldering the chip directly to the motherboard. The architecture's focus on idle power reduction and thermal efficiency made it the blueprint for modern ultrabook processors, prioritizing battery longevity over raw computational throughput greatly here always now firmly.
CPU Design
2 cores, 4 threads with 4MB L3 cache.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1600 controller.
PCIe & I/O
12 PCIe 2.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- 14nm process node
- Better graphics execution units
- Improved idle power
Key Highlights
- Excellent battery life for its era
- Low 15W TDP
- Good for basic office tasks
- Enabled thin-and-light designs
- Only 2 cores
- DDR3 memory only
- Weak integrated graphics
- Soldered to motherboard
- Struggles with modern web multitasking
History
Launched on March 1, 2015, the Core i7-5500U became one of Intel's most ubiquitous mobile processors, powering millions of mid-range ultrabooks and thin-and-light laptops globally. It arrived at a critical time when the PC market was shifting heavily towards portable, energy-efficient devices. </br> The Broadwell-U family was instrumental in popularizing the concept of all-day battery life.
The i7-5500U, despite its i7 branding, was a dual-core processor, which caused some consumer confusion but delivered excellent real-world efficiency for office and media tasks. It successfully bridged the gap between the power-hungry Ivy Bridge era and the highly efficient Skylake generation. While it was eventually superseded by the 6th Gen Core i7-6500U, the 5500U remained in production for years due to its cost-effectiveness and mature platform stability.
It is remembered as a workhorse chip that defined the mid-2010s laptop experience firmly now indeed always very greatly now.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 14nm process node
- Better graphics execution units
- Improved idle power
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a very cheap used laptop for basic web browsing or typing.
Avoid if…
- Need to run modern applications
- Want to play games
- Require good battery life
- Do any video editing
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was one of Intel's most popular mobile processors in 2015.
The 'U' suffix stands for Ultra-low power.
It features a configurable TDP down to 7.5W.
The die size is a tiny 82 mm².
It contains 1.3 billion transistors.
It supports Intel VT-x but not VT-d.
The integrated graphics are Intel HD 5500.
It uses the FCBGA1168 socket.
It paved the way for modern ultrabook efficiency.
Its base clock is 2.4 GHz with a 3.0 GHz boost.
People Also Ask
Is the Core i7-5500U still good?
It is only good for very basic tasks like web browsing and word processing. It struggles with modern multitasking.
Does the i7-5500U support DDR4?
No, it supports DDR3 memory up to 1600 MT/s.
How many cores does the i7-5500U have?
It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads.
What is the TDP of the i7-5500U?
It has a 15W TDP, configurable down to 7.5W.
Can the i7-5500U game?
Only very old or lightweight 2D games. The HD 5500 is not suitable for modern gaming.
What socket does the i7-5500U use?
It uses the FCBGA1168 socket and is soldered to the motherboard.
Is the i7-5500U unlocked?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the max turbo frequency?
The max turbo frequency is 3.0 GHz.
Does it support Windows 11?
No, it is not officially supported by Windows 11.
What generation is the i7-5500U?
It is a 5th generation Broadwell processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it support virtualization?
It supports VT-x for basic virtualization but lacks VT-d.
What is the base clock?
The base clock is 2.4 GHz.
How much L3 cache does it have?
It has 4 MB of L3 cache.
What graphics are integrated?
It features Intel HD Graphics 5500.
What PCIe version does it support?
It supports PCIe 2.0 with 12 lanes.
What was the launch price?
The launch price was $393.
Does it support AVX2?
Yes, it supports AVX2 instructions.
Can you overclock it?
No, it is multiplier locked.
What is the max memory support?
It supports up to 16GB of DDR3 memory.
Is it good for video editing?
No, it is too weak for modern video editing.