Quick Verdict
The 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.
Overview
Launch
2015
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
5th Gen (Broadwell-U)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i5-5287U is the highest-clocked dual-core Broadwell-U i5 processor with Iris 6100 graphics, running at 2.9 GHz base and 3.3 GHz turbo in a 28W envelope for premium ultrabooks requiring maximum dual-core performance.
The Intel Core i5-5287U sits at the top of the Broadwell-U Core i5 lineup with a 2.9 GHz base clock and 3.3 GHz turbo boost — the highest frequencies in the family.
Combined with Iris 6100 graphics featuring 48 Execution Units at 300-1100 MHz and 128MB of eDRAM, it delivers the maximum dual-core performance Intel could offer in the 28W U-series tier. The chip uses the 133mm² die with 1.9 billion transistors and supports DDR3-1866 memory.
It was typically offered as a build-to-order upgrade for the 2015 MacBook Pro 13-inch, and served in premium Windows ultrabooks where OEMs wanted to offer the best possible i5 experience.
Specifications
Performance
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.
Still limited by dual-core design despite the higher clocks.
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.
The 28W TDP is a significant power draw for a dual-core processor, resulting in reduced battery life compared to 15W alternatives.
- •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
- •No AI acceleration hardware
- •Not designed for AI workloads
- •Completely unsuitable for modern AI tasks
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Broadwell-U
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
3 MB
L3 Cache
28 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i5-5287U uses the same 133mm² GT3 die as the i5-5257U and i5-5250U, but is binned for the highest CPU and GPU clock speeds within the Broadwell-U i5 product range. The 2.9 GHz base and 3.3 GHz turbo clocks are achieved through superior silicon binning — Intel selects the best-performing dies from the manufacturing line for this SKU. The Iris 6100 GPU also receives a 50 MHz boost over the i5-5257U, reaching 1100 MHz. While this seems modest, the combination of higher CPU clocks, higher GPU clocks, and 128MB eDRAM makes the i5-5287U the most complete Broadwell-U i5 package. The 28W TDP remains unchanged from the i5-5257U, meaning Intel extracted more performance from the same power budget through better silicon quality rather than additional power allocation.
CPU Design
Two Broadwell cores with Hyper-Threading, 64KB L1 and 256KB L2 per core, 3MB L3 Smart Cache, plus 128MB eDRAM L4 cache — identical topology to the i5-5257U but clocked higher.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1866 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, augmented by 128MB eDRAM at approximately 48 GB/s.
PCIe & I/O
12 PCIe Gen 2 lanes from the CPU, same as all Broadwell-U variants.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier, BGA soldered, no overclocking. The higher clocks are the result of factory binning.
- 14nm process from 22nm
- Iris 6100 replacing Iris 5100
- Higher base and turbo clocks
- 128MB eDRAM improved from previous generation
Key Highlights
- 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
- 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
History
The Core i5-5287U represents the pinnacle of Intel's dual-core mobile i5 strategy in the Broadwell generation. Positioned as a premium upgrade option, it was born from Intel's silicon binning process where the best-performing 133mm² GT3 dies were selected for higher clock targets while maintaining the same 28W TDP as the i5-5257U.</br></br>This processor found its most prominent home as a build-to-order option in Apple's 2015 MacBook Pro 13-inch, where users willing to pay extra could upgrade from the base i5-5257U.
The 200 MHz increase in both base and turbo clocks, plus the 50 MHz GPU bump, represented a modest but real performance improvement for users who needed every bit of speed available within the platform.</br></br>The i5-5287U also marked something of an endpoint for an era. It was among the last dual-core processors sold in premium professional laptops.
Within a year, Intel's Skylake refresh and AMD's emerging Ryzen architecture would begin pushing quad-core designs into the same thermal envelopes. The idea that a dual-core chip could serve as the premium option in a professional laptop would soon seem antiquated, making the i5-5287U a snapshot of the transition point between dual-core and quad-core mobile computing.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 14nm process from 22nm
- Iris 6100 replacing Iris 5100
- Higher base and turbo clocks
- 128MB eDRAM improved from previous generation
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Purchasing a used MacBook Pro 2015 with this upgrade for under $200 for basic creative work
Avoid if…
- Buying any new device in 2026
- Needing multi-threaded performance
- Running modern creative applications
- Gaming of any kind beyond casual titles
- Wanting Windows 11 compatibility
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-5287U was offered as a build-to-order upgrade on the 2015 MacBook Pro 13-inch, costing approximately $200 extra over the base i5-5257U configuration.
Its 2.9 GHz base clock is the highest among all Broadwell-U Core i5 processors, including both 15W and 28W variants.
The 3.3 GHz turbo boost is only 200 MHz below the Core i7-5557U's 3.5 GHz maximum, making the i5-5287U a strong alternative for less money.
The Iris 6100 at 1100 MHz is the highest GPU clock in the Broadwell-U i5 range, just 50 MHz above the i5-5257U.
Intel binning selected the best silicon dies from the 133mm² production line for this SKU to achieve the higher clock targets within the same 28W TDP.
The part number SR26H identifies this specific SKU in Intel's product database.
Despite being the fastest Broadwell-U i5, it shares the exact same $315 recommended price as the i5-5250U and i5-5257U.
Many 2015 MacBook Pro 13-inch models with this processor are still in use as of 2026, particularly for web browsing and document editing.
The 128MB eDRAM was one of the first instances of on-package memory that would later evolve into Intel's HBM and EMIB strategies.
The i5-5287U's performance was effectively the ceiling for dual-core mobile computing in 2015 before quad-core mobile chips arrived.
People Also Ask
What is the difference between i5-5287U and i5-5257U?
The i5-5287U has a higher base clock (2.9 vs 2.7 GHz), higher turbo (3.3 vs 3.1 GHz), and slightly higher GPU clock (1100 vs 1050 MHz). Both share the same 28W TDP, Iris 6100 graphics, and eDRAM.
Is the i5-5287U worth the upgrade over i5-5257U?
In 2026, neither represents good value. The performance difference between them is roughly 7% in CPU workloads, which is barely noticeable in real-world use.
Can the i5-5287U run Windows 11?
No, it does not meet Windows 11's requirements and is not on the supported CPU list.
What is the fastest Broadwell-U i5 processor?
The i5-5287U is the fastest Broadwell-U Core i5 with the highest base (2.9 GHz) and turbo (3.3 GHz) clocks.
Does the i5-5287U have Iris graphics?
Yes, it features Intel Iris 6100 graphics with 48 Execution Units and 128MB of eDRAM.
How does the i5-5287U compare to i7-5557U?
The i7-5557U has a 3.1 GHz base and 3.5 GHz turbo with 4MB L3 cache, compared to the i5-5287U's 2.9 GHz base, 3.3 GHz turbo, and 3MB L3 cache. The i7 also has slightly higher GPU clocks.
Is the i5-5287U good for video editing?
It can handle basic 1080p video editing in iMovie or simple Premiere Pro projects, but any serious video editing will be painfully slow on this dual-core processor.
What is the configurable TDP of the i5-5287U?
The standard TDP is 28W with a configurable TDP down to 23W.
What MacBook Pro used the i5-5287U?
The i5-5287U was available as a build-to-order processor upgrade for the 2015 MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina display.
Is the i5-5287U still good in 2026?
Only for basic web browsing and document editing. Its dual-core design cannot handle modern multitasking or demanding applications effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum GPU clock of the i5-5287U?
The Intel Iris 6100 graphics on the i5-5287U reaches a maximum of 1100 MHz, the highest among Broadwell-U i5 processors.
Does the i5-5287U support 4K output?
Yes, it can output 4K at 60Hz via DisplayPort and 4K at 30Hz via HDMI, though performance at 4K is limited.
What is the part number of the i5-5287U?
The standard part number is SR26H.
How much cache does the i5-5287U have?
It has 64KB L1 per core, 256KB L2 per core, 3MB shared L3, and 128MB eDRAM L4 cache.
Can the i5-5287U be overclocked?
No, the multiplier is locked and the processor is soldered to the motherboard via BGA 1168.
What memory does the i5-5287U support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3-1866 memory up to 16GB maximum.
Does the i5-5287U support Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt support depends on the laptop's implementation. Many systems with this chip supported Thunderbolt 2.
What was the launch price of the i5-5287U?
The recommended customer price at launch was $315.
Does the i5-5287U support virtualization?
Yes, it supports Intel VT-x and VT-d virtualization technologies.
Is the i5-5287U a quad-core processor?
No, it is a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading, providing 4 threads across 2 physical cores.