Intel Core i7-3517U vs Intel Core M-5Y31

The Intel Core i7-3517U, based on the Ivy Bridge U-architecture, was developed for energy-efficient ultrabooks.

The Intel Core M-5Y31, from the Broadwell Y-generation, targets passively cooled tablets and thin laptops with maximum energy efficiency.

The Intel Core i7-3517U is manufactured using the 22 nm process and features two cores, four threads, and 4 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core M-5Y31 uses a more advanced 14 nm manufacturing process, also with two cores, four threads, and 4 MB of L3 cache, which enables higher efficiency.

Thanks to its newer architecture, the Intel Core M-5Y31 offers improved single-core and multi-core performance, especially in modern benchmarks. The Intel Core i7-3517U delivers solid, but comparatively lower performance for everyday tasks. Neither of the two processors is primarily designed for demanding gaming scenarios.

The Intel Core i7-3517U is equipped with Intel HD Graphics 4000. The Intel Core M-5Y31 with Intel HD Graphics 5300 offers marginally better integrated graphics performance for very simple games. The Intel Core i7-3517U, as an Ivy Bridge U-chip, has a higher thermal design power (TDP).

The Intel Core M-5Y31 is optimized for extremely low power consumption, which enables its use in passively cooled fanless devices and contributes to longer battery life. Both processors are no longer available as new products in retail and are primarily found in used devices. An up-to-date assessment of the price-performance ratio is therefore difficult.

The Intel Core i7-3517U is a solid option for older ultrabooks requiring basic productivity and media playback. The Intel Core M-5Y31, thanks to its efficiency and slightly higher performance, is the better choice for ultraportable, passively cooled devices requiring long battery life and low heat generation.