Core i5-2557M

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i5-2557M

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i5-2557M based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,376 Rank: 1438
Rank Name Score Visual
1434 Pentium G640 4,378
+0%
1435 Core i5-3337U 4,378
+0%
1436 Xeon E5620 4,377
+0%
1437 Phenom II X4 960T 4,377
+0%
1438 Core i5-2557M 4,376
1439 Pentium Silver J5040 4,375
+-0%
1440 Xeon E5520 4,374
+-0%
1441 Xeon X5460 4,373
-0.1%
1442 Athlon II X3 455 4,372
-0.1%
1443 Core i5-2450M 4,370
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i5-2557M based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,398 Rank: 1460
Rank Name Score Visual
1456 A8-3870 4,399
+0%
1457 Phenom 9600 4,399
+0%
1458 Core i3-3240T 4,399
+0%
1459 Core i7-2617M 4,398
+0%
1460 Core i5-2557M 4,398
1461 Xeon E5606 4,398
+0%
1462 Pentium B950 4,397
+-0%
1463 Pentium G3420 4,397
+-0%
1464 Phenom 9150e 4,397
+-0%
1465 Xeon E3-1220L v2 4,397
+-0%

View full ranking →

Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i5-2557M based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,361 Rank: 1427
Rank Name Score Visual
1423 A9-9400 4,366
+0.1%
1424 Core i7-640M 4,365
+0.1%
1425 Phenom II X4 B40 4,364
+0.1%
1426 Xeon L5640 4,362
+0%
1427 Core i5-2557M 4,361
1428 Athlon II X4 555 4,361
+0%
1429 PRO A10-8750B 4,361
+0%
1430 Phenom II X4 B55 4,360
+-0%
1431 Xeon X5450 4,358
-0.1%
1432 Xeon E5-2430 v2 4,358
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i5-2557M based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,503 Rank: 1510
Rank Name Score Visual
1506 E2-7110 4,504
+0%
1507 Core i5-430M 4,504
+0%
1508 Core i3-380M 4,504
+0%
1509 A8-3550MX 4,504
+0%
1510 Core i5-2557M 4,503
1511 Pentium G620 4,503
+0%
1512 A6-5400K 4,503
+0%
1513 A9-9425 4,503
+0%
1514 A9-9420 4,503
+0%
1515 Core i5-4202Y 4,503
+0%

View full ranking →

Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i5-2557M based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,478 Rank: 1465
Rank Name Score Visual
1461 Core i3-5015U 4,479
+0%
1462 Phenom II X2 565 4,479
+0%
1463 A6-5200 4,479
+0%
1464 PRO A6-9500 4,479
+0%
1465 Core i5-2557M 4,478
1466 Phenom II X2 560 4,478
+0%
1467 A6-3420M 4,478
+0%
1468 Pentium G3220T 4,478
+0%
1469 Celeron G1830 4,477
+-0%
1470 Pentium G860 4,477
+-0%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i5-2557M based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,505 Rank: 1370
Rank Name Score Visual
1366 Phenom II X4 925 4,506
+0%
1367 Phenom II X4 920 4,506
+0%
1368 A6-3670 4,506
+0%
1369 A6-3650 4,506
+0%
1370 Core i5-2557M 4,505
1371 Core i3-2348M 4,505
+0%
1372 Core i3-2330M 4,505
+0%
1373 Core i3-2310M 4,505
+0%
1374 Phenom II X4 B40 4,505
+0%
1375 Phenom II X4 830 4,505
+0%

View full ranking →

Core i5-2557M Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i5-2557M remains a relic of the early 2010s, a mobile processor launched in June 2011 as part of Intel’s Sandy Bridge architecture. While it once offered a compelling balance of performance and power efficiency for ultraportable laptops, its capabilities now place it firmly in the lower tier of modern CPU benchmarks. With a 2.7 GHz turbo frequency and a base clock of 1.7 GHz, the dual-core, four-thread design leverages Intel Hyper-Threading to deliver modest multitasking performance. Its 32 nm manufacturing process and 624 million transistors reflect the technological state of mobile computing over a decade ago, and the processor’s 17 W TDP underscores its focus on thermal efficiency rather than raw power.

The Core i5-2557M’s performance metrics reveal a system designed for basic productivity and light multimedia use. In Passmark’s overall scoring, it achieves a score of 4376, ranking #1438 out of 2060 processors. The single-core score of 4361 places it slightly above the average, though still far behind modern high-performance chips. In multicore performance, the score of 4398 positions it just above a handful of older Athlon and Pentium models, but well below contemporary mid-range and high-end processors. Its integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, with 12 execution units and a maximum frequency of 1.2 GHz, are capable of handling basic 1080p video playback and light gaming but struggle with modern applications and titles.

The processor's architecture, Sandy Bridge, was notable for its introduction of AVX instruction sets and improved power management, including Intel's Enhanced SpeedStep technology. These features, along with support for DDR3-1333 memory and dual-channel memory bandwidth, provided a solid foundation for its era. However, its 3 MB L3 cache and 64-bit architecture, while adequate at launch, are now limiting factors in today’s compute-intensive workloads. The inclusion of features like AES-NI and virtualization support (VT-x, VT-d) reflects Intel’s focus on security and enterprise use, but the locked multiplier restricts overclocking potential.

In the broader context of today’s market, the Core i5-2557M is best suited for legacy systems, basic office tasks, or as a secondary processor in older devices. Its performance is comparable to low-end modern Atom and Celeron processors, though its age and lack of modern instruction sets make it unsuitable for gaming, content creation, or machine learning. For users seeking a reliable, energy-efficient CPU for light computing, the i5-2557M may still serve a purpose, but it is no longer competitive in any mainstream or professional segment. As of 2026, it stands as a testament to the rapid evolution of mobile computing, offering a glimpse into the technological landscape of the early smartphone and tablet era.
Frequently Compared

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Intel Core i5-2557M

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i5-2557M
Family: Core
Series: i5-2000
Model Number: i5-2557M
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 1700 MHz
Turbo Frequency (1 core): 2700 MHz
Turbo Frequency (2 cores): 2400 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 17x (locked)
Microarchitecture: Sandy Bridge
Core Name: Sandy Bridge M
Core Family: 6
Core Model: 42
Socket: BGA1023
Package: FCBGA-1023
Chipset: Cougar
Target Segment: Mobile
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 17 W
Release Price: $250.00

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 128 KiB
L1 Instruction Cache: 64 KiB (8-way set associative)
L1 Data Cache: 64 KiB (8-way set associative)
L2 Cache: 0.5 MiB (8-way set associative)
L3 Cache: 3 MiB (12-way set associative)

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1066
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 8 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 19.87 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 2.0
PCIe Lanes: 16
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 3000
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1200 MHz
Execution Units: 12

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Die Area: 149 mm²
Transistor Count: 0.62 billion
Manufacturer: Intel
Technology: CMOS
Word Size: 64-bit
ISA: x86-64 (x86)

CPU Features

MMX EMMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX AES CLMUL x86-16 x86-32 x86-64 Real Protected SMM FPU NX HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT IPT Flex Memory MWT ATT FMA BPT
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