Intel Core i5-7260U vs Intel Processor N97

The Intel Core i5-7260U, based on the Kaby Lake U architecture and manufactured using the 14 nm process, was designed for ultrabooks and offers 3 MB of Level 3 Cache as well as the Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 with 34 GB/s memory bandwidth.

It targets everyday productivity and light multimedia applications. The Intel Processor N97 belongs to the Alder Lake N generation and is manufactured using the more modern 10 nm process.

It is intended for energy-efficient entry-level devices and features 4 MB of Level 2 Cache, 6 MB of Level 3 Cache, and the Intel UHD Graphics 24 EUs (Alder Lake) with 38 GB/s memory bandwidth. In performance comparison, the Intel Processor N97 shows significantly higher multi-core performance, for example in Geekbench 6.

The single-core performance is comparable in Geekbench 6. Both processors are not designed for gaming; the N97's newer integrated graphics unit offers a slight advantage in very undemanding titles. The N97 is more energy-efficient due to its more advanced manufacturing process and architecture. Regarding the price-performance ratio, the N97 is more advantageous in new devices, while the i5-7260U is only relevant in the used market.