Scored using Processors Methodology v3.0
Processors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Processors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Processors Methodology v3.0

Intel Core M-5Y31 review: 74 specs compared

Avg. price:~£220PassMark multi-core score:1891N. of physical cores:2CPU boost clock speed:2.4 GHzCPU socket:FCBGA1234TDP (Thermal design power):4.5 W

Intel Core M-5Y31 Review: Compare 74 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Processors category and whether it is worth buying.

6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

40%

4.3

Technical score

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.2, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 72% of processors
7.1

Value for money

Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

â–¼Worse than 66%
4.3

Technical score

Technical score
4.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

60%

3.7

Performance

18%

4.5

Architecture

10%

3.5

Memory & PCIe

7%

8.0

Power & Thermal

4%

6.5

Platform

1%

6.1

Integrated graphics

â–¼Worse than 78%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.2.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £220
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core M-5Y31

Technical score
Technical score
4.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

3.7

Performance

18%

4.5

Architecture

10%

3.5

Memory & PCIe

7%

8.0

Power & Thermal

4%

6.5

Platform

1%

6.1

Integrated graphics

4.3
Reviews score
7.2
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

7.1
Processor type
mobile
This processor belongs to the mobile processor class, which is more advanced than that of 6.9% of processors and equal to that of 47.7% of processors.
CPU socket
FCBGA1234
This processor uses the FCBGA1234 CPU socket, which is older than that of 94.4% of processors and equal to that of 0.3% of processors.
Chipset
N/A
CPU architecture
x86-64
This processor uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.8% of processors and equal to that of 98.2% of processors.
Instruction sets
MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES
This processor supports MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES instruction sets, which is narrower support than 76.4% of processors and equal to that of 0.1% of processors.
Show more
N. of physical cores
2
This processor has 2 CPU cores, which is fewer than 80.4% of processors and equal to 19.6% of processors.
CPU threads
4
This processor offers 4 CPU threads, which is fewer than 69% of processors and equal to 25.2% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
2.4 GHz
This processor reaches a boost clock of 2.4 GHz which is lower than that of 98.3% of processors and equal to that of 0.6% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
2x 0.9 GHz
This processor has a base clock of 2x0.9 GHz which is lower than that of 99.6% of processors and equal to that of 0.1% of processors.
PassMark multi-core score
1,891
This processor scores 1,891 in PassMark, which is lower than 95.1% of processors.
Show more
Semiconductor size
14 nm
This processor uses a 14 nm process node, which is older than that of 52% of processors and equal to that of 32.9% of processors.
Foundry
Intel 14 nm
This processor is built on the Intel 14 nm foundry process, which is less advanced than that of 55.9% of processors and equal to that of 29% of processors.
L3 cache
4 MB
This processor has an L3 cache of 4 MB which is smaller than that of 71.7% of processors and equal to that of 13.8% of processors.
L2 cache
0.5 MB
This processor has an L2 cache of 0.5 MB which is smaller than that of 85.4% of processors and equal to that of 14.5% of processors.
L1 cache
128 KB
This processor has an L1 cache of 128 KB which is smaller than that of 83.9% of processors and equal to that of 14.3% of processors.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR3L/LPDDR3
This processor supports DDR DDR3L/LPDDR3, which is older than that of 83.8% of processors and equal to that of 0.7% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
1,600 MHz
This processor supports memory speeds up to 1,600 MHz, which is lower than that of 87.7% of processors and equal to 10.8% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
?
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
N/A
Maximum memory capacity
16 GB
This processor supports up to 16 GB of memory, which is less than 92.2% of processors and equal to 6.1% of processors.
Show more
Integrated graphics
yes
This processor includes integrated graphics. 14.7% of processors offer this.
Integrated GPU model
Intel HD Graphics 5300
This processor uses the Intel HD Graphics 5300 integrated GPU, which is less advanced than that in 63.4% of processors and equal to that in 0.3% of processors.
Integrated GPU execution units
24
This processor has 24 GPU execution units, which is more than 49.1% of processors and equal to 20.8% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
300 MHz
This processor has an integrated GPU clock of 300 MHz which is lower than that of 57.8% of processors and equal to that of 38.4% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
VP8 (HW decode), VC-1 (HW decode)
This processor supports VP8 (HW decode), VC-1 (HW decode) media codecs, which is narrower support than 72.4% of processors and equal to 0.1% of processors.
Show more
TDP (Thermal design power)
4.5 W
This processor has a TDP of 4.5 W which is lower than that of 99.1% of processors and equal to that of 0.9% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
4.5 W
This processor has a base power of 4.5 W which is lower than that of 99.1% of processors and equal to that of 0.9% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
?
Tau (power duration limit)
28 seconds
This processor has a turbo duration of 28 seconds which is longer than that of 4.4% of processors and equal to that of 85.3% of processors.
Configurable TDP
yes
This processor supports configurable TDP. 46.4% of processors offer this.
Show more

Intel Core M-5Y31 vs the average processor

246810TotalPlatformPerformanceArchitectureMemory & PCIeIntegrated graphicsPower & Thermal
  • 90% lower base power
    This processor has a lower base power draw than the average processor (4.5 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    4.5 W vs 45 W
  • 53.7% smaller die size
    This processor has a lower die size than the average processor (82 mm² vs 177 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 177 mm².
    82 mm² vs 177 mm²
  • 90% lower TDP
    This processor has a lower TDP than the average processor (4.5 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
    4.5 W vs 45 W
  • 5 °C lower CPU temperature
    This processor has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (95 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
    95 °C vs 100 °C
  • Supports heterogeneous scheduling
    This processor uses heterogeneous multi-processing, while the average processor does not. 24.8% of processors use it.
  • 8.1% more L3 per core
    This processor has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.85 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
    2 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core
  • Supports heterogeneous scheduling
    This processor uses heterogeneous multi-processing, while the average processor does not. 24.8% of processors use it.
  • 53.7% smaller die size
    This processor has a lower die size than the average processor (82 mm² vs 177 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 177 mm².
    82 mm² vs 177 mm²
  • 8.1% more L3 per core
    This processor has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.85 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
    2 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core
  • 90% lower base power
    This processor has a lower base power draw than the average processor (4.5 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    4.5 W vs 45 W
  • 90% lower TDP
    This processor has a lower TDP than the average processor (4.5 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
    4.5 W vs 45 W
  • 5 °C lower CPU temperature
    This processor has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (95 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
    95 °C vs 100 °C
  • 83.5% lower PassMark score
    This processor has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (1,891 vs 11,469). The average processor scores 11,469 in PassMark benchmark.
    1,891 vs 11,469
  • 45.5% lower boost clock
    This processor has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.4 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
    2.4 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
  • 51.9% weaker single-core performance
    This processor has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,231 vs 2,558). The average processor scores 2,558 in PassMark single-core.
    1,231 vs 2,558
  • 4 fewer CPU cores
    This processor has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (2 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    2 vs 6
  • 57.5% lower single-core score
    This processor has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (653 vs 1,535). The average processor scores 1,535 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    653 vs 1,535
  • Lower base clock
    This processor has a lower base clock than the average processor (2x0.9 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz).
    2x0.9 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz
  • 2 fewer performance cores
    This processor has fewer performance cores than the average processor (2 vs 4). The average processor has 4 performance cores.
    2 vs 4
  • Narrower instruction support
    This processor supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V).
    MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V
  • 3.1% worse value for money
    Intel Core M-5Y31 has worse value for money than the average processor (7.07 vs 7.3).
    7.07 vs 7.29
  • Narrower instruction support
    This processor supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V).
    MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V
  • Weaker security extensions
    This processor provides less advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK).
    AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK
  • 6 years older release date
    This processor has an older release date than the average processor (2014 vs 2020).
    October 2014
    2014 vs 2020
  • Older CPU socket
    This processor uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1234 vs FP5).
    FCBGA1234 vs FP5
  • More limited crypto acceleration
    This processor offers more limited crypto acceleration than the average processor (AES vs AES, SHA).
    AES vs AES, SHA
  • 83.5% lower PassMark score
    This processor has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (1,891 vs 11,469). The average processor scores 11,469 in PassMark benchmark.
    1,891 vs 11,469
  • 45.5% lower boost clock
    This processor has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.4 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
    2.4 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
  • 51.9% weaker single-core performance
    This processor has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,231 vs 2,558). The average processor scores 2,558 in PassMark single-core.
    1,231 vs 2,558
  • 4 fewer CPU cores
    This processor has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (2 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    2 vs 6
  • 57.5% lower single-core score
    This processor has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (653 vs 1,535). The average processor scores 1,535 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    653 vs 1,535
  • Lower base clock
    This processor has a lower base clock than the average processor (2x0.9 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz).
    2x0.9 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz
  • 2 fewer performance cores
    This processor has fewer performance cores than the average processor (2 vs 4). The average processor has 4 performance cores.
    2 vs 4
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    This processor has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
    4 vs 8
  • 19 lower clock multiplier
    This processor has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (9 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
    9 vs 28
  • 37.5% lower bus transfer rate
    This processor has a lower bus transfer rate than the average processor (5 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor offers bus transfer rate of 8 GT/s.
    5 GT/s vs 8 GT/s
  • 83.3% smaller L2 cache
    This processor has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (0.5 MB vs 3 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 3 MB.
    0.5 MB vs 3 MB
  • 16.7% larger process node
    This processor has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
    14 nm vs 12 nm
  • 50% less L2 per core
    This processor has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
    0.25 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
  • 66.7% smaller L1 cache
    This processor has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (128 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
    128 KB vs 384 KB
  • 55.6% smaller L3 cache
    This processor has a lower L3 cache than the average processor (4 MB vs 9 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 9 MB.
    4 MB vs 9 MB
  • Less advanced microarchitecture
    This processor uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Broadwell vs Kaby Lake).
    Broadwell vs Kaby Lake
  • 73.7% fewer transistors
    This processor has fewer transistors than the average processor (1.3 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
    1.3 billion vs 4.95 billion
  • 50% lower memory speed
    This processor has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (1,600 MHz vs 3,200 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 3,200 MHz.
    1,600 MHz vs 3,200 MHz
  • 45.4% lower memory bandwidth
    This processor has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (25.6 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.
    25.6 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s
  • Limited PCIe bifurcation
    This processor supports less flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x4 vs x16, x8/x8, x4/x4/x4/x4).
    x4 vs x16, x8/x8, x4/x4/x4/x4
  • Older PCIe version
    This processor supports an older PCIe version than the average processor (2 vs 3).
    2 vs 3
  • 4 fewer PCIe lanes
    This processor has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (12 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
    12 vs 16
  • Older DDR support
    This processor supports an older DDR generation than the average processor (DDR3L/LPDDR3 vs DDR4).
    DDR3L/LPDDR3 vs DDR4
  • 75% less memory capacity
    This processor has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (16 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
    16 GB vs 64 GB
  • Narrower media codec support
    This processor supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (VP8 (HW decode), VC-1 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode)).
    VP8 (HW decode), VC-1 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode)
  • 5 °C lower temperature limit
    This processor has a lower temperature limit than the average processor (95 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor can run up to 100 °C.
    95 °C vs 100 °C

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core M-5Y31

  • Extremely low power consumption (4.5W TDP) which enables long battery life in thin devices
  • Supports fanless, passive cooling, allowing for silent and ultra-thin laptop and tablet designs
  • Reliable performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and multimedia playback
  • Capable of high 'Turbo' clock speed bursts (up to 2.4 GHz) for snappy application launching
  • Integrated Intel HD Graphics 5300 supports modern APIs like DirectX 11.2 and OpenCL 2.0

What customers don't like about Intel Core M-5Y31

  • Significant performance degradation under continuous heavy load due to aggressive thermal throttling
  • Unsuitable for modern gaming, with most titles only playable on the lowest settings
  • Poor choice for demanding professional tasks such as video editing, media encoding, or large software compilation
  • Base clock speed is very low (0.9 GHz), which can lead to a sluggish feel during sustained background processes
  • Susceptible to heating up quickly despite its low wattage, which triggers the frequency drop

Verdict

The Intel Core M-5Y31 is an ultra-low voltage (ULV) dual-core SoC based on the 14nm Broadwell architecture, launched in late 2014. It features a base clock of 900 MHz with a Turbo Boost up to 2.4 GHz, 4 MB of L3 cache, and integrates Intel HD Graphics 5300 with 24 execution units. Its primary strength lies in its exceptional power efficiency, maintaining a standard TDP of just 4.5W (configurable from 3.5W to 6W), which allows for completely silent, fanless operation in extremely thin tablets and 2-in-1 laptops. However, its main drawbacks include significant performance degradation under sustained heavy workloads due to strict thermal and power limits, as well as very limited gaming capabilities that are only suitable for low-end or older titles.

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