Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Core i5-4300Y

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Core i5-4300Y FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Core i5-4300Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Solo SU3500

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 3W instead of 512W, a 509W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,468 vs 1,485).
❌Launch MSRP is still $262 MSRP, while Core i5-4300Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4300Y

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌16966.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4300Y better than Core 2 Solo SU3500?

Yes. Core i5-4300Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4300Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4300Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-4300Y is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-4300Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $262 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Solo SU3500 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.7% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-4300Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Core i5-4300Y Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Solo SU3500

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 5.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,468 points. Launch price was $262.

Core i5-4300Y

The Core i5-4300Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,485 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i5-4300Y offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-4300Y has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-4300Y — a 48.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-4300Y (base: 1.3 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4300Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Core i5-4300Y's 1,485 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-4300Y. Both processors carry 3 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Core i5-4300Y
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	2.3 GHz+64%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	1.6 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,468	1,485+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-4300Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.