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Intel Core i5-5200U

Laptop CPUIntel

Also called intel core i5-5200u, core i5-5200u, i5-5200u, core-i5-5200u

IntelLaptop CPUBroadwell

Intel Core i5 laptop processor on Broadwell, with 2 cores and 4 threads and 3 MB L3 at 15 W TDP on a 14 nm process addressing up to 16 GB and Intel HD Graphics 5500.

What you need to know

Intel Core i5-5200U is a legacy laptop cpu.

Intel Core i5-5200U launched in January 1, 2015., It has 2 cores and 4 threads on Broadwell, dropping into the FCBGA1168 socket. Treat the spec table as the facts. Age alone does not tell you to throw it out.

Still good?
Only if the workload is light
Product age
11 years old
Upgrade pressure
Moderate
Feex says
Laptop SKUs are power-limited. The name on the lid is not the same chip you would get on a desktop board.

What this hardware means today

Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.

Performance today
Modest. Laptop performance depends on the OEM power limit as much as this SKU name.
Product age 11 years old
Legacy. Launched January 1, 2015. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
Support status
Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
Upgrade pressure
Moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.

Where does it sit?

Broadwell sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.

11th Gen
12th Gen
13th Gen
14th Gen
Core Ultra

Performance context

These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.

Gaming: Good

Fine when the laptop GPU is the limit. CPU names on thin laptops often are not.

Productivity: Modest

2 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.

Multithreaded workloads: Average

4 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.

General use: Good

Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.

Efficiency: Depends on the laptop

The same SKU in two laptops can draw very different power. Read the device, not the CPU name alone.

Should you upgrade?

Probably not based on CPU performance alone.

Upgrade makes more sense if

  • Your workload is strongly CPU limited
  • You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
  • You need substantially more multicore performance
  • You are buying a whole new laptop anyway

Upgrade makes less sense if

  • The GPU is the real bottleneck
  • Current applications are already responsive
  • The CPU rarely limits your workload

Specifications

Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.

Processor

Intel Core i5-5200U is built on Broadwell using a 14 nm process.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Processor
Manufacturer Intel
Family Core i5
Architecture Broadwell
Generation 5th Generation Intel Core i5 Processors
Manufacturing process 14 nm
Segment Laptop

Cores and threads

Intel Core i5-5200U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Cores and threads
Cores 2
Threads 4

Clock speeds

Base clock is 2.2 GHz. Boost reaches 2.7 GHz.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Clock speeds
Base frequency 2.2 GHz
Max boost 2.7 GHz

Cache

Cache on this sheet is 3 MB L3.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Cache
L3 cache 3 MB
Total cache 3 MB

Memory

Intel Core i5-5200U addresses 16 GB across 2 memory channels.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Memory
Supported types LPDDR3
Max capacity 16 GB
Channels 2

Package and power

Intel Core i5-5200U uses the FCBGA1168 socket and a 15 W TDP.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Package and power
Socket FCBGA1168
TDP 15 W
PCIe Revision 2.0, 12 lanes

Integrated graphics

Intel Core i5-5200U includes Intel HD Graphics 5500.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Integrated graphics
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 5500

Market

Intel Core i5-5200U launched January 1, 2015.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Market
Launch date January 1, 2015
Model i5-5200U

Features

Intel Core i5-5200U records 4 instruction sets on this sheet.

Intel Core i5-5200U specifications: Features
Instruction sets AVX264-bit (x86-64)SSE4.1SSE4.2
Security Hardware RNGOS Guard
Virtualization Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization)

Compatibility

Compatibility
Socket FCBGA1168
Board A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision.
Memory LPDDR3, up to 16 GB
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 5500

A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.

Laptop power limits, cooling, and the OEM firmware matter as much as the model name.

Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.

No post after a CPU swap

Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.

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